How Apex Waste Solutions’ commitment to automation and technology drove rapid growth.
When Apex Waste was founded just two and a half years ago, the Colorado waste market was not exactly easy grounds for a startup. Established players had decades of head start, and the barriers to entry were steep. However, for Apex co-founders Scott Jenkins and Scott Lukach, both long-time waste industry veterans, those challenges represented opportunity.
“We saw an opportunity in the market for an independent hauler that served the community across all lines of business and could grow quickly through efficiency and technology,” says Jenkins. “We knew if we started with the right foundation and stayed adaptable, we could carve out a strong position in this market.”
From that vision, Apex Waste was born in the Denver, CO area, beginning with a small acquisition, just southeast of the city. That company operated a modest fleet of rear load and roll off trucks. It was a traditional, labor-intensive setup—the kind of operation that relies on multiple workers per truck, heavy manual handling, and long days behind the packer.
Apex started with 15 trucks and a few dozen employees. Today, that number has grown to roughly 180 collection assets and 350 employees across eight operating locations across Colorado. The company’s trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable, and the driving force behind that success has been a deliberate move toward automation, technology integration, and strategic fleet
evolution.
From Manual Beginnings to an Automated Future
In the beginning, Apex Waste operated the way many independent haulers start out: manually. Their routes were primarily rear load, serving both residential and commercial customers. Crews were often made up of two or three people, with helpers hopping on and off the truck all day. “The take-all rear loader model was common in the market, but it wasn’t sustainable for where we wanted to go from a safety perspective,” says Lukach. “We could see the market slowly turning to automation. We knew if we didn’t evolve, we’d fall behind before we really got started.”
The leadership team recognized that automation was not just about keeping up with competitors. It was also about building a scalable model. Manual collection has limitations when it comes to safety, efficiency, and recruitment. The physical strain on crews was high, and finding and keeping qualified labor was increasingly difficult.
At the same time, the opportunities in automated residential collection were expanding, especially in urban and suburban markets where carts and containerized service were becoming the standard. Apex set out to pivot toward an automated system, investing early in equipment that would allow them to grow quickly and operate more efficiently.
The Denver Recycling Contract: A Defining Moment
A key turning point came when Apex won the City and County of Denver’s residential recycling contract, servicing nearly 29,000 households. The contract required alley collection, which presented a set of challenges that traditionally could only be handled by rear loaders. “We started with rented automated side loaders to meet the contract requirements, but it didn’t take long to realize we wanted to own and standardize our fleet,” says Jenkins. “That’s when we began investing heavily in Heil® DuraPack® Python® automated side loaders.”
The decision paid off quickly. Automated side loaders allowed Apex to easily reduce its crew size from two workers down to one operator per truck. Routes became more predictable, service consistency improved, and safety incidents dropped dramatically. In addition to these operational and safety benefits, the transition also allowed Apex to reinvest in its people—sending motivated helpers to attend CDL school and creating opportunities for internal promotion and career growth throughout the company.
“From an efficiency to a cost standpoint, we moved from two operators to one. We could be more competitive and find new work,” Jenkins explains. “You pick up from an automation standpoint, you pick up from a cost standpoint, and you pick up from a safety standpoint. It was a win across the board.”
Building a Fleet with Flexibility in Mind
With automation proving itself on residential routes, Apex’s next step was to ensure flexibility across its fleet. The company began adding Heil Half/Pack® LowRider® front loaders equipped with Curotto-Can® systems. “The Curotto-Can is a great transitional truck,” says Lukach. “It gives us flexibility, especially with the LowRider setup. It’s lightweight, which helps with legal weight limits, and it lets us handle both residential and light commercial materials efficiently.”
The Half/Pack LowRider with Curotto-Can became the perfect bridge between rear load and front load operations. Apex could run these trucks on residential cart routes and, later, repurpose them for front load commercial service as that side of the business grew.
“We were starting a front load commercial business from the ground up,” Lukach explains. “The Curotto-Can gave us the flexibility to grow that line of business while still serving residential customers. It really allowed us to expand without major reinvestment.”
Today, Apex’s fleet is roughly half automated, with a mix of automated side loaders, front loaders, and a smaller portion of manual trucks still operating in more rural or mountainous areas. The strategy remains the same: automate where it makes sense, retain manual or hybrid collection only where terrain and service types require it.
Safety, Efficiency, and Retention Go Hand in Hand
The benefits of automation at Apex extend far beyond route productivity. For the company, safety and employee well-being have been just as important as efficiency gains. “The operator is in the cab, they’re no longer exposed,” says Jenkins. “They’re not climbing in and out of the truck, they’re not exposed to slips, trips, falls, or hazardous materials. And they’re not working in the line of sight of danger while collecting.”
With drivers operating from the cab, overall situational awareness improved as well. “They see everything,” Lukach adds. “They can see their mirrors, their dump, and anyone who might be around the truck. That kind of visibility and control makes a huge difference.”
The move to automation has also paid dividends in retention. The physical demands of traditional rear load collection can take a toll over time, often leading to turnover. Automation changes that dynamic, giving drivers a safer and more modern working environment. “Good drivers retain good drivers,” Jenkins says simply. “When drivers feel safe, comfortable, and respected, they stay. That’s been a big part of our success.”
Technology That Connects the Fleet
Another major factor in Apex’s growth has been the integration of advanced technology throughout its fleet. Every Apex truck is equipped with the full suite of 3rd Eye® smart cameras and sensors, part of Heil’s Connected Collections® ecosystem. “We have 3rd Eye on all of our assets,” Jenkins explains. “We have the whole suite of cameras on our trucks, and we’re currently piloting the new Bird’s Eye 360-degree camera system along with Reverse Automatic Braking.”
The technology gives Apex a clear advantage in safety, accountability, and operations management. Drivers are more aware of their surroundings, managers can verify service in real time, and incidents can be reviewed with video evidence when needed. “From a safety standpoint, you have to have these cameras in your trucks,” says Lukach. “But it’s not just about safety, it’s about coaching too. This is how we coach our drivers up. It’s all to help them be better drivers and most importantly, to help protect them and the communities we serve.”
The video data and service verification features have also strengthened customer relationships. When a customer calls in, Apex can review footage and provide accurate answers immediately. “Utilizing service verification has really helped us improve relationships with our customers,” Jenkins notes. “We can meet with them, show them what’s happening on the route, and sometimes even find new opportunities. It helps us be proactive instead of reactive.”
From a financial standpoint, the benefits are measurable. “It helps us improve cycle times and charge appropriate fees, when necessary,” he adds. “If a container is blocked or overfilled, we know about it right away. It’s fair for the customer and fair for us.”
Partnering for Success
Behind Apex’s success story is a strong partnership with Heil and its dealer network. From the earliest stages of the company’s formation, Heil and its local dealer provided support that helped Apex get off the ground quickly. “Heil is easy to do business with, they answer phone calls even as a startup,” says Jenkins. “The support we got when we were getting going, the ideas, thoughts, and purchasing, made it effortless. They always came through for us.”
Heil’s broad product line has allowed Apex to build a fleet that’s both reliable and flexible. The company looks forward to the introduction of Heil’s Common Body, which will feature interchangeable parts across different truck models. That standardization is expected to streamline maintenance and training and will significantly simplify parts inventory.
“Heil’s ability to connect with everything, doing business all under one umbrella, is key,” Jenkins adds. “The in-cab features and the connectivity with 3rd Eye keep everything in house under Connected Collections. That kind of integration is what makes growth sustainable.”
Learning, Training, and Growing
Apex’s leadership team often points to training as one of the most important ingredients in their operational success. Moving from manual collection to automation requires not only new equipment, but also new skills and habits. “Never downplay training,” Lukach advises. “Remain focused on it. The technology and equipment only work as well as the people using them.”
Apex invests heavily in onboarding, ongoing driver coaching, and safety programs, supported by the video tools provided through 3rd Eye. The team views training not as a one-time event, but as a continual process that helps reinforce a culture of safety and accountability.
That culture has proven to be a key differentiator as Apex continues to grow. It ensures consistency across locations and makes it easier to integrate newly acquired operations into the Apex system. “When we acquire routes, we transition them to containerized and automated service,” Jenkins says. “That process takes planning, but our model is built for it. Automation, technology, and training are the backbone of how we grow.”
Growth Fueled by Strategy and Vision
Today, Apex Waste operates one of the largest and most advanced fleets in the region. Its roughly 180 collection assets represent a balanced mix of automated and non-automated routes, carefully matched to the geography and density of each service area. Urban and city routes are now fully automated, while rural and mountain routes continue to run a combination of manual and hybrid systems where needed.
That balance allows Apex to maintain service flexibility while continuing to move toward full automation over time. The company’s growth model, acquire routes, then containerize and automate them, has proven both scalable and sustainable.
“Automation and efficiency improvements allowed us to expand aggressively and win new contracts,” Jenkins reflects. “It’s not just about trucks and technology. It’s about building a smarter business model that works for our employees and our customers.”
From a modest 15 truck operation to a multi-location fleet approaching 200 assets in just a few years, Apex’s story is one of adaptability and vision. By embracing automation early and aligning with the right technology and equipment partners, the company positioned itself for growth that might have seemed impossible for a new entrant in such a competitive market.
Advice for Other Haulers
As Apex looks ahead, its leaders are quick to encourage others in the industry to explore automation and technology, especially smaller haulers who may feel intimidated by the transition. “Engage with your Heil dealership,” Lukach advises. “Look at the options that are out there. If you’re transitioning from rear load to automation, look at the Curotto-Can. It provides everything you need, especially if you’re doing both residential and commercial.”
That flexibility has been key to Apex’s ability to serve a wide range of customers while keeping costs under control. However, Lukach and Jenkins emphasize that the real secret is not just in the equipment, it is also in the commitment to continuous improvement. “You have to be willing to evolve,” Jenkins says. “Our industry is changing. If you keep doing things the same way, you’re going to get left behind. But if you embrace technology, automation, and training, you can grow faster than you ever thought possible.”
A Future Built on Innovation
As Apex continues to expand its footprint, automation and connectivity remain at the heart of its strategy. With a fleet that is smarter, safer, and more versatile than ever, the company is positioned to lead Colorado’s waste industry into its next era.
“Heil and 3rd Eye have been essential partners for us,” Jenkins concludes. “Their support and innovation align perfectly with how we want to grow. Everything we’re doing is about improving safety, efficiency, and relationships, with our drivers, our customers, and our communities.”
In just a few short years, Apex Waste has transformed from a small rear load operator into one of the region’s most advanced automated fleets. Their journey reflects what is possible when experienced leaders combine hard work with a forward-thinking vision. In an industry built on consistency and reliability, Apex has proven that innovation and adaptability can be the most powerful tools of all. | WA
For more information, contact Jessie Nichols, Marketing Director, Environmental Solutions, at [email protected] or visit .