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CCommingled-Conversationommingled Conversation: Pat Caruso
A light-hearted Q &A with the president and founder of Associated Refuse Haulers
As printed in Waste 360, December 11, 2011

We could come up with some convoluted reason to entice you to read our lighthearted Q&A with Pat Caruso, president and founder of Associated Refuse Haulers, an independent hauler based in Monroe, Conn. But why? Look at the man. That’s right. That’s a Lamborghini. And he drove it. Through the desert. IN VEGAS.

Waste Age: What is your pet peeve?

Caruso: When someone does not keep their commitments.

Waste Age: What is your idea of the perfect day?

Caruso: The sun is shining, temperature 60-65 degrees. Everybody shows up to work happy and leaves happy. Trucks run fine, no issues. Customers are happy. And my wife has a wonderful dinner for me.

Waste Age: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Caruso: Always tell the truth – you will never get caught in a lie.

Waste Age: What was the last book you read?

Caruso: I am reading two at the same time: “Decision Points”by George W. Bush and “American Assassin” by Vince Flynn.

Waste Age: What is your favorite movie?

Caruso: “Ball of Fire” starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. I believe it was made in the early 1940s. You will love the garbage truck scene.

Waste Age: What is your favorite TV show?

Caruso: “24.” On a lighter note, there is always “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

Waste Age: Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Caruso:  Stones.

Waste Age: What is the strangest piece of trash you’ve ever come across?

Caruso: A gas mask mixed in with recycled paper from a grade school.

Waste Age: Do you prefer the beach or mountains?
Caruso: The blue waters of the Caribbean.

Waste Age: What is the one thing you couldn’t live without?

Caruso: Beside my family, oxygen. Then garbage trucks.

Waste Age: If you could invite three people — living or dead — to a dinner party, who would they be?

Caruso: I would have to invite more than three: My Gramps, my father Pat, Uncle Joe, Uncle Frank and Uncle Jim. All have passed away and all played a part in who I am today.

Waste Age: If you weren’t serving in your current role, what would you like to be?

Caruso: I would be a full time advocate for the solid waste industry.

Waste Age: What is your favorite sports team?

Caruso: The Pittsburgh Penquins.

Waste Age: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Caruso: Being able to prevent people from harming innocent people, especially children.

Waste Age: What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done?

Caruso: During WasteExpo 2009 in Las Vegas, my son and I rented a Lamborghini. We were cruising through the desert at 165 mph. What a thrill until we started to run out of road. We capped it off by shooting machine guns. See you in Vegas 2012!

Waste Age: What’s the one talent you have that not many people know about?

Caruso: If I told you, everybody would know.