Peninsula Sanitation Services celebrates 70 years of operation this year, growing from humble beginnings with founders Art and Donna Alexander — along with one truck, an adding machine and just a couple accounts — to more than 24 employees serving 6,600 customers across Southwest Washington today.

ILWACO — Dwight D. Eisenhower was in the middle of his first term and Doo Wop music was dominating the airwaves. The year was 1954, and a small ‘mom and pop’ business was just starting on the peninsula.

Peninsula Sanitation Services celebrates 70 years of operation this year, growing from humble beginnings with founders Art and Donna Alexander — along with one truck, an adding machine and just a couple accounts — to more than 24 employees serving 6,600 customers across Southwest Washington today.

In 1989, PSS added their first Automated Side Loading (ASL) garbage truck. There are now nine ASL trucks in the fleet, with dedicated routes serving the growing solid waste-removal needs of the local community.

Last year, PSS handled more than 38 million pounds of solid waste, with a peak during July, August and September.

Ownership transitioned to Jay Alexander in 2017 and later to Waste Connections in 2021, but PSS remains a family business today, with Ned Bittner serving as site manager.

Longtime (former) employees include:

• Chuck McNeal (1982-2017, 35 years);
• Udell Shaw (1988-2016, 28 years);
• Don Deemer (1980-2004, 24 years);
• Amy McHale (1988-2008, 20 years);
• Tina Hays (20 years);
• Dave Cook (2004-2021, 17 years);
• Dennis Casper (2004-2019, 15 years).