25 February 2026
Behind the scenes of sensitive waste collection, Olivier - collection driver
Every day, on the roads of Brittany, Olivier plays a discreet but essential role: ensuring the safe transport of hazardous waste. As a collection driver at the Triadis consolidation platform in Rennes (Séché Environnement group), he works with hospitals, industrial companies, and waste disposal centers to ensure the rigorous and secure management of their specific waste. Combining technical precision, a sense of responsibility, and customer relations, his job is at the heart of environmental and safety issues.
Meticulous organization
For Olivier, a typical day begins... the day before. The truck is loaded in advance to optimize the next day's route. At 6 a.m., everything starts with a series of checks: vehicle condition, handling equipment, equipment compliance.
The route then continues: at each customer's premises, Olivier collects full bins (while checking that their contents comply with regulations) and delivers empty bins using his stacker (electric pallet truck). Not to mention carrying out the required labeling and filling out the transport documents. Rigour, method and a sense of responsibility are essential, as every action contributes to ensuring the traceability and safety of the waste collected. At the end of the day, it's back to the site for weighing, unloading and preparing for the next round. "Our trucks are our main work tool," he explains. We take good care of them: it's more pleasant to go out on a route with a clean, well-maintained vehicle."
Passing on expertise
Olivier also acts as a mentor driver: he accompanies new arrivals, trains them in procedures, and guides them in the field for about three weeks.
Onboarding always begins with a safety briefing, then new recruits observe collections before gradually moving on to practical training. At the end of the process, the roles are reversed: the future drivers carry out the operations under Olivier's watchful eye. This is essential in a profession where safety, regulations, and technical precision are omnipresent.
A useful and people-oriented profession
What Olivier appreciates most about his work is the feeling of being useful: "I contribute to protecting the environment," he explains. Each collection is also an encounter: building a relationship of trust with customers is an integral part of the job.
He also highlights the friendly atmosphere that characterizes the company: "It's a human-sized organization, where you're always greeted with a smile."
