Waste and Recycling Workers Weeklong Celebration

Beginning June 17, nearly half a million men and women from around the United States will be recognized during National Waste and Recycling Workers Week for the essential services they provide to their communities.

As Prince William County prepares to celebrate the often-thankless work of local waste and recycling workers, a proclamation was provided by the Board of County Supervisors on June 4 to recognize the local impacts of workers.

Fun fact: The inaugural National Garbage Man Day proclamation occurred in Prince William County in 2014.

Furthermore, the County Solid Waste Division (SWD) will express its gratitude to all waste and recycling workers at the Landfill and Compost Facility. As a token of the County's appreciation, special treats, and essential safety information will be provided to the workers to boost morale and ensure workplace safety while carrying out their important duties.

Each week, SWD employees and private waste and recycling haulers provide the public with critical contributions to public health by managing the municipal solid waste generated in the County.

“I am grateful for the dedicated individuals who work alongside me in the Solid Waste Division, as well as those employed by private haulers responsible for collecting refuse, recycling, and yard waste in the County in adherence to regulation,” said SWD, Assistant Director Monica Gorman. “Managing solid waste necessitates a diverse range of knowledge, skills, and abilities to efficiently meet job demands while complying with regulatory and safety requirements, ultimately contributing to environmentally safe and cleaner communities.”

Solid waste industry employees often do more than collect trash. They are also pioneers in advancing technologies such as recycling, renewable and sustainable energy, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Match that with the clear impact on community cleanliness and hygiene, and many will find that modern-day waste and recycling workers deserve more recognition than a day or week out of each year.

Fully staffed, the division has more than 70 employees in positions such as truck drivers, equipment operators, maintenance, scale staff, engineers, environmental monitors, recycling, business administration, and management.

Most staff are located at the County Landfill, where they help operate the facility and collect more than 1,200 tons of trash buried and covered daily. They also ensure that all waste is handled in an environmentally safe manner to help reduce any negative impacts on community members, wildlife, or the surrounding environment.

In addition, community members may see waste and recycling collectors transporting recycling trailers or collecting litter along the roadway, which often puts these workers in harm's way.

Because waste collection is consistently rated among the nation's top ten most dangerous jobs, the County seeks to remind community members to help get all waste and recycling workers home safely.

The celebratory week for waste and recycling workers falls conveniently during National Safety Month. According to a 2022 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, waste and recycling workers rank 7 out of 10 on the list of fatal job injuries.

“We are always thinking about safety and service,” said Solid Waste Superintendent Roscoe Coles, “Waste and Recycling Works Week is a perfect opportunity to bring safety to the forefront. Observing the facility guidelines and speed limit and following the instructions of our staff make the landfill and compost facility convenience center a safer place for our workers and customers. That way, everyone gets back home in the same way they arrived.”

All community members can do their part to ensure the safety of permitted haulers in Prince William County and staff such as the Litter Crew by Slowing Down to Get Around. Residents can also help create a safe environment at the Landfill and Compost Facility by reviewing the Safety Guidelines before their visit.

However, showing support is more than ensuring waste and recycling workers get home safely daily, but also finding small ways to say thank you.

Community members can show support for their local waste and recycling collectors by preparing for their arrival as a household, neighborhood, or business. They can post thank you signs, make sure they have plenty of water and snacks to keep them energized throughout the day, or wave and say thank you, thus acknowledging the work the collectors do. Support can also be shown to County waste and recycling workers by honking and waving to thank them if they see truck drivers or the Litter Crew along the roadways or when visiting the Landfill or Compost facility.

 

Prince William County residents, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to celebrate National Waste and Recycling Workers Week, June 17-22, and recognize the men and women who work daily to keep our communities and streets clean and safe.

To learn more about National Waste and Recycling Workers Week and ways to show support, go to wasterecyclingworkersweek.org. Community members can also share the ways they celebrated the week by emailing photos and information to [email protected].