By Taylor M. Coffman
Herald Correspondent
Seminole County recently had the pleasure of hosting the 2025 SWANA International Road-E-O, an event designed to spotlight the heroes of the solid waste industry and provide an afternoon of competition and supportive community fun.
The Road-E-O, run by the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), was hosted at the Seminole County Landfill, showcasing skilled men and women navigating heavy machinery–including trucks, tractor trailers, compactors, dozers, and rear-loaders–through a timed, point-based obstacle course. The event featured competitors from as far as Idaho, Arizona, Delaware, and Colorado In addition, the over 100 guests and spectators were offered a glimpse into the day-to-day workings of Seminole County’s own landfill, which operates on more than 6,000 acres of land.
According to organizers, the main purpose of the event was to shine a light on the often unsung workers that keep our streets clean without much recognition, highlighting the “skill and accuracy required to keep solid waste operations running efficiently and safely.” The event was also attended by Seminole County leadership, with Board of Commissioners Chairman, Jay Zembower giving a speech to kick off the event.
“These operators are the backbone of local government,” said Zembower. “Every morning, long before most of us have had our first cup of coffee, they’re already out there — serving residents, handling equipment that weighs tons, and doing it with precision and pride. You don’t often see headlines for ‘another successful day of waste collection’ but that’s exactly what keeps our communities functioning. The Road-E-O gave these everyday heroes a well-deserved spotlight and a chance to show off a little, too.”
With the Road-E-O having come off as a success, hopes are high that it might return to Seminole County in future years. The Florida chapter of SWANA has announced its own Road-E-O, to take place in April 2026, but details on the next international event have not been announced yet. Those interested in SWANA or more details on either event can find out more information at https://swanafl.org/
