Apparatus and method for applying labels to a customer container from a waste collection, disposal and/or recycling vehicle

A waste collection vehicle assembly, comprising:

• a waste collection vehicle having a front end, a side adjacent to the front end, a rear end, and a container lift arm operatively attached to the side and configured for side loading;
• and
• a labeling apparatus attached to the side of the waste collection vehicle and configured to dispense a label for application to a waste container during waste collection operations, the labeling apparatus comprising:
• an xyz-positioner;
• a labeling dispenser, wherein the labeling dispenser is disposed on the xyz-positioner and wherein the xyz-positioner is configured to move the labeling dispenser along x, y, and z coordinates and into proximity with a waste container during operations of the waste collection vehicle such that the label can be applied to the waste container;
• and
• a horizontal actuator connected to both the waste collection vehicle and the labeling apparatus and configured to retract the labeling apparatus towards the waste collection vehicle and away from the container lift arm during lift arm operations.