A Fond Farewell: Power Sweeping's Proven Legacy and My Retirement
by Ranger Kidwell-Ross, editor
WorldSweeper.com
For over three decades, my overriding mission for the WorldSweeper website has been simple yet profound: to elevate power sweeping to its rightful position as the essential first line of defense against the pollutants that threaten our waterways, air quality and public health.
Back in the early 1990s, I launched the first-ever print magazine in the U.S. for power sweeping, American Sweeper – the precursor to this website – because the sweeping industry and the broader public works community had no strong voice advocating for proactive pavement cleaning. It was my belief that power sweeping removed particulate matter (PM) at the lowest cost while preventing runoff into stormwater systems and reducing the airborne particles that cause an estimated 200,000 premature deaths each year in the U.S. My research had convinced me power sweeping was also the most cost-effective way to remove other pavement-based contaminants that degrade ecosystems. Over three decades ago I took the topic on as my personal and business approach to environmental improvement.
Fast forward to where we are today... WorldSweeper.com, started in 1995, unquestionably has earned its tagline of being "Earth's Largest Power Sweeping Resource."SM It is the planet's most comprehensive archive of industry knowledge, from technical best practices and environmental case studies to operational tips and award-winning profiles. The Worldsweeper site is today comprised of over half a terabyte of data! Over its 20+ years of continual updates, we've documented how sweeping mitigates urban runoff – the carrying of oils, metals, and sediments directly from pavements into rivers and bays – and supports compliance with regulations like the Clean Water Act. And much more.
Research underscores sweeping's measurable impact on reducing total suspended solids by up to 85% in targeted programs, validating our early calls for widespread adoption. This body of evidence proves the point I've spent my career promoting: power sweeping is now well-documented as being the most efficient, frontline strategy for cleaner water and air, as well as healthier communities.
The WorldSweeper newsletter you are reading today marks my 203rd. I've written many hundreds of articles, including from more than 20 countries where I've traveled to personally bring back power sweeping information. All in all, I'm gratified that my long-held belief – and decades of efforts to prove it was true – has been comprehensively validated. Exhaustive studies from the U.S. and other countries, as well as sources like the EPA and regional water boards, confirm what I've championed through my efforts all along: Power sweeping is not just effective, but indispensable, for improving water quality and environmental stewardship.
As I approach retirement in the new year, it's time to entrust this vital resource to fresh hands. The site's hundreds of articles, newsletters and tools represent a legacy built on collaboration with sweeper manufacturers and suppliers, contractors, and environmental experts across the globe.
Starting January 2025, I'll be exploring options to transition WorldSweeper to a dedicated individual or organization committed to its ongoing archive, updates and expansion. I think it would ideally end up as the backbone educational resource for an association of industry manufacturers/suppliers; however, such a group doesn't yet exist (hint, hint...). Or, to an industry-related company or a passionate environmental/industry successor. In any event, my goal remains ensuring this information endures and evolves with emerging technologies and challenges worldwide.
To the sweeping and environmental professionals who've made this journey possible, thank you for your dedication to cleaner streets and sustainable practices. Power sweeping's role in defending water quality is now irrefutably established. My work here on that topic is done. However, I also hope that the importance of enhanced sweeping, which I've more recently introduced encompassing the latest technology and ideas available, continues to move forward. In any event, it's now someone else's turn to keep the brooms turning.
If you have been one of WorldSweeper's advertising sponsors, thank you for the critical part you have played in supporting 'Earth's Largest Power Sweeping Resource.' I am honored by your collective votes of confidence in what this organization was providing to the power sweeping industry.
Likewise, if you have been one of the industry suppliers providing WSA Members with savings on your goods and services, thank you for providing those WSA Member Benefits. WSA has been WorldSweeper's sister organization where we've brought well over 850 articles and other posts of information since its inception 13 years ago.
Good Sweeping,
Editor, WorldSweeper.com
Executive Director, World Sweeping Association
Member, PAVEMENT Hall of Fame
PS If you're a contractor I urge you to check out the many benefits of membership in the World Sweeping Association. Also, if you haven't 'liked' our WorldSweeper Facebook page, what are you waiting for? That's where we offer a variety of industry previews and updates on an ongoing basis.
For our November/December stories click on links below.
- Writing Clear Street Sweeping RFPs
- Tariff Impact on Street Sweeper Market: How Changing Tariff Policies Are Reshaping the US, UK and European Union Sweeping Industry
- Waterless Chinese Sweeper Trucks Chosen to Cut Dust in Arid UAE Regions
- Street Sweeping in Various Climates: What to Know
- Are You Planning for Your Section 179 IRS Deductions?
- Minimizing Employee Stress and Defining Company Policy During the Holidays
- Monster Garage Builds a Race Car Street Sweeper With TYMCO
Writing Clear Street Sweeping RFPs
Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for street sweeping should define exactly what is to be swept, how miles are measured, and what extra duties are included (emergency response, large item removal, etc.), so both the agency and bidders understand the true workload and cost. The safest approach is to define "curb miles" (or "sweeping miles") in the document, list each segment with maps, and then separately spell out all special services and response expectations. Any requirements concerning equipment to be provided and operator qualifications should also be included.
WorldSweeper's Editor has developed a comprehensive template outlining the many aspects a street sweeping RFP needs to contain so the municipality and bidding contractors can be clear about what is wanted. Doing so for in-house street sweeping also makes sense since the information to street sweeping department should also be clear and transparent in terms of expectations.
Click here for the info.
Tariff Impact on Street Sweeper Market: How Changing Tariff Policies Are Reshaping the US, UK and European Union Sweeping Industry
This article by Insight Innovations offers a variety of information on how the tariffs have affected the street sweeper market in UK, as well as insight into how the industry is expected to grow – and why – between now and 2032. U.S. tariffs primarily impact trade relations between the U.S. and other nations, certainly including the UK and the European Union, where both sweepers (Fayat and Bucher) and other supply chain items come from. Tariff ripple effects can influence global supply chains, material costs and manufacturing locations, ultimately affecting the costs of sweepers in a variety of ways.
At WorldSweeper we are not just focused on the U.S. but have long featured information on power sweeping from around the world. The Trump administration tariffs are affecting the industry in a variety of ways, both at home and abroad, so we thought the information in this article was a good reminder of the interconnectedness between different countries in the 21st century. As you read through the information, consider how the current use and predictions for the UK market align and/or diverge from the sweeping industry in the US and in other countries throughout the world.
Click here to get insight into the tariffs and their affect in the UK and elsewhere.
Waterless Chinese Sweeper Trucks Chosen to Cut Dust in Arid UAE Regions
Due to the UAE's arid climate, air quality maintenance in the country is deemed critical. That's the reason given for the UAE's purchase a total of 42 waterless street sweepers from Chinese-based CSCTRUCK Municipal. This deployment – immediately operational across major UAE municipalities – confronts the 1.8 million tons of annual aeolian dust plaguing urban centers, where particulate concentrations exceed WHO safety thresholds by 230% during summer wind events.
Phase Two trials commencing Q1 2026 will integrate sand-to-silicon reclamation modules, transforming collected desert particulates into photovoltaic-grade raw materials for UAE solar farms.
Check out the story.
Street Sweeping in Various Climates: What to Know
Differences in temperature, moisture, and biodiversity create unique challenges for street sweepers. However, it remains an essential function for a clean and successful municipality, regardless of climate, city size, or landscape.
For this newsletter, Elgin provided us with a comprehensive guide to effective sweeping techniques across different climates. It's good advice and has many ideas and pieces of information that will prove helpful to anyone doing street or parking lot sweeping.
Check out the information .
Are You Planning for Your Section 179 IRS Deductions?
Each year some of the sweeper manufacturers remind us to remind you about the IRS Section 179 program. The program provides an ongoing incentive to acquire and install capital equipment.
If you haven't already, now is the time to make plans for taking advantage of the IRS Section 179 tax-saving program. Essentially, Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy (or lease) a piece of qualifying equipment – including a sweeper(s) – you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your 2025 gross income.
It's an incentive created by the U.S. government to encourage businesses to buy equipment and invest in themselves. The 2025 deduction limit is $2,500,000; however, note that this limit is reduced by the amount by which the cost of the property placed in service during the tax year exceeds $4,000,000.
Here are the tax deduction guidelines we developed for equipment purchases in the 2025 calendar year. Use this link to go to Section179.org. While we're on the topic, check out this list of 35 small business tax deductions you may be missing.
Minimizing Employee Stress and Defining Company Policy During the Holidays
The following is a link we offer this time of year because the Christmas holiday season is one of the most stressful times for both managers and line workers in the public and private sweeping industry sectors. At the same time – given the possible resurgence of COVID 19 and the flu, as well as the ever-changing requirements for defining non-offensive company policy and minimizing liabilities – it's more important than ever for organizations to develop cohesive holiday plans.
WorldSweeper's editor provides an overview on these topics as they relate to the power sweeping industry, as well as links to stress reduction tips for managers, holiday party guidelines from our legal information section and an end-of-the-year, thought-provoking, view on the documented value provided by what are called 'pro-social employee bonus systems.' This year our update for 2025 also includes preparation for working during the end of the year.
Check out the info.
Monster Garage Builds a Race Car Street Sweeper With TYMCO
Monster Garage recently put its street sweeper episode online onto YouTube. This is a fine story about how Jesse James – along with input from the TYMCO organization – outfitted a race car to be a sweeper, with a curb broom, rear suction hood and more! If you are a fan of racing you're sure to love watching the build, as well as the 'race' between the sweeper they built and a TYMCO 435.
Check out the video.
|
