Waste & Recycling Workers Week
Give a big thanks to the men and women who keep your community sanitary and hygienic on Garbage Man Day, or Waste & Recycling Workers Week.
Honor waste and recycling workers through community appreciation and safety advocacy campaigns that highlight workplace hazards and promote public responsibility.
- Share worker safety statistics and hazard prevention tips to raise public awareness
- Feature local waste worker spotlights and thank-you stories from community members
- Promote safe disposal practices (proper sharps/chemical handling) to reduce worker injuries
- Organize community appreciation events: water stations, safety gear donations, or recognition ceremonies
This event is the brainchild of John D. Arwood, the owner of a specialist waste management and portable sanitation firm. He launched his business in 1997 and then used the internet as a way to expand it to multiple locations.
Arwood believes caring for all of the people in the community. Several years into his business venture, he realized that there was a lack of public recognition for the work that his waste disposal staff were doing.
Inspired, in 2011, Arwood personally funded the first Global Garbage Man Day, the original name. For Arwood, the joy is in seeing communities show their appreciation for these tireless souls who dedicate their days to removing trash from the streets.
Global Garbage Man Day was officially renamed Waste & Recycling Workers Week in 2019. The organizers give several reasons for this:
First, the industry encompasses more than just garbage collection. Those in the waste industry deal with issues as diverse as sanitation and land use. There is also an entire industry dedicated to providing recycling services.
Second, there are many thousands of men and women involved in waste and recycling efforts across the world. The organizers, therefore, felt that the new name would better represent that diversity and avoid any confusion. “Man” in the original context was an abbreviation of “human.” It was not gender-specific.
Waste & Recycling Workers Week has grown tremendously in popularity over the years. Companies, organizations, and communities from all over the world have become intimately involved in the campaign. Engagement has been so high that many believe that the event will continue to expand in size and scope in the years to come.
Ever the innovator, Arwood recently launched Space Waste Solutions to figure out how to deal with the growing problem of trash orbiting the Earth.
Show You Care
First, you can show that you care about your local garbage professionals’ wellbeing. Members of the public often go about their business, oblivious to the hardships and dangers that waste disposal workers face. But the fact of the matter is that many work long hours on public streets and highways, continuously exposed to the risks of passing traffic. Motorists, therefore, can observe Waste & Recycling Workers Week by slowing down as they pass workers.
Try Some Little Gestures
Garbage disposal is also physically demanding work, especially in hot weather. Some members of the public, therefore, like to provide waste disposal professionals with cold, fresh water to keep them hydrated on hot days. It’s a nice touch that can make a huge difference in how they feel.
Advocate for Safety
The rate of injury in the garbage collection industry is around ten times higher than it is across the rest of the economy. While it is the role of management to mitigate some of these risks, there’s a lot that the general public can do too to prevent harm. Garbage collection professionals, for instance, are at high risk of injury from hazardous materials and sharps. Obviously, poisons, harsh chemicals, and biological waste require professional disposal. But even things like broken glass, needles, shards of metal can put workers at risk. One of your activities in the run-up to Waste & Recycling Workers Week, therefore, could be to ensure that all your waste is safe for manual handling!
Say Thank You
Sometimes, though, the most straightforward methods for showing your appreciation are the best. Nothing says “job well done” better than a simple “thank you” note. You could even go up to your local waste disposal professional in person and let them know that you’re grateful for all the work that they do. It could be the only thanks they get all year. This day only comes around once per year, so don’t waste it. If possible, try to avoid recycled gestures. Do something memorable—the more love you can dump on those who provide this essential service, the better. Trashy jokes are always the best, aren’t they?