It’s Waste and Recycling Workers Week and a great opportunity to recognize and honor the valuable work men and women in the waste industry do to keep our communities clean. Collecting waste and recyclables is a difficult job and SWACO appreciates team members in central Ohio’s waste industry who prioritize the safety of themselves and their coworkers, while also contributing to clean neighborhoods.
Being a waste and recycling worker is a demanding and sometimes dangerous job.
Here are a few easy ways you can help make the jobs of Waste and Recycling Workers easier:
- Make sure your waste and recycling are properly sorted. Contaminants like hoses, cords and plastic bags in household recycling carts can cause issues and delays and create potentially hazardous conditions for workers.
- Pay attention to container placement. Lining your carts up on the street, while being mindful of sidewalks and streets, helps to ensure workers can complete their route safely and efficiently.
- Dispose of hazardous materials properly. Hazardous materials like batteries, paint, or chemicals should never be placed in regular trash or recycling cart, as they pose significant risks to waste and recycling workers. For proper disposal, hazardous materials should be taken to SWACO’s HHW facility located at 645 E. 8th Avenue in Columbus (43201) or the upcoming Gahanna HHW Collection Event on June 22. Click HERE to learn more about HHW and mobile collection events happening near you.
To all our waste and recycling workers, whether you are part of landfill management and operations, a recycling truck driver, mechanic, safety program manager, heavy equipment operator or another vital piece of the puzzle, thank you for your unwavering commitment to our communities. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and we are incredibly grateful for everything you do.
