If storks can deliver babies, why not containers? That's the thinking E.O.M.S. Recycling of West Bridgewater, Mass., employed when they placed the bird on the company's container delivery truck. Lou Tarentino, president of E.O.M.S., says the company is known for its unique truck designs that often use humor and detailed illustrations to get its name out. “The kids on the highway point and people laugh,” he says. “We've been around for 12 years, and a lot of people recognize us more from our truck designs [than from] our name.”

The truck is an International series and the body is manufactured by JRH Industries. The company purchases its containers from Tom Maguire Co. The storks appear on both the driver- and passenger-side doors with a container being carried from its beak.

Tarentino says the ideas for his 14-truck fleet come from his employees, who also vote on which designs will be featured on the trucks. “We just think them up here and go with whatever we're feeling that day,” he says. This truck is the company's only container delivery truck and its service area includes a 75-mile radius south of Boston.

The Winners

Best Overall - City of Philadelphia
Best Front Loader - Abitibi Consolidated, Recycling Division Houston
Best Side Loader - City of El Paso, Texas, Environmental Services
Best Rear Loader - Texas Disposal Systems Buda, Texas
Best Container Delivery Vehicle - E.O.M.S. Recycling West Bridgewater, Mass.