Residents are encouraged to continue to show their appreciation to front line workers, including tomorrow, June 16, on Waste Collector Appreciation Day. Throughout the pandemic, waste collectors have been lifting record breaking volumes of waste. On any given day, a waste collector lifts a few thousand bags of waste. In the midst of the pandemic, collectors were lifting even more waste set at the curb by residents due to regular spring clean up and additional clean up made by residents who were at home during the last few months.
For Waste Collector Appreciation day, and year round, the City is asking Edmontonians to further celebrate by encouraging residents to give the gift of safety to waste collectors:
- Go Bagless! Grass clippings are heavy. Take the bag off your lawn mower, raise the height of the blade, and leave your clippings on your lawn as you mow, plus compost or mulch yard waste. Your yard will thank you.
- Make sure all recycling and garbage is securely bagged, sharps are packaged properly in boxes and labelled, and branches are cut down to 4 feet long and are bundled.
- Make sure your recycling and garbage is easily accessible. Move your vehicle off the street on collection day. If that’s not possible, keep your garbage, blue bags, and yard waste away from parked cars (two car lengths away) so collectors can easily see and access them.
- Maintain Alberta Health Services physical distancing protocols (two metres/6 feet). Wave hello from a distance.
In the past few months, Collectors found thank you notes and pictures tied to garbage bags, chalk drawn signs on fences, and even little treats left by residents showing their appreciation. Every one of those notes and pictures are posted at the Kennedale collections facility where collectors are reminded daily of how much residents truly appreciate their work.
Waste collectors are among the most visible employees from the Collections Services section in the Waste Services Branch, however the section also has many employees who all play a huge role in keeping our City clean. Multi-family collectors, bin maintenance staff, recycling depot attendants, litter collectors, Eco Station attendants and the office staff all play an essential role helping Waste Services get the job done, especially during these unprecedented times.
While June 16 is the day to show appreciation for waste collector front line employees, we would like to acknowledge all front line workers within the city who have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to deliver services for all Edmontonians.
