'It's just a nightmare.' Trash collectors overwhelmed by rising amount of household waste [View all]

[riversedge]

Source: cnn.com




Updated 9:44 AM ET, Thu April 9, 2020


Washington, DC (CNN)Barney Shapiro, owner of Tenleytown Trash, never expected that he would turn to the Washington National Opera's costume department to design gear for his employees. But when a member of his staff heard the National Opera was sewing masks for workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic, he jumped at the chance.


Shapiro's staffers haul trash in Washington, DC, and Maryland. Like the entire waste management industry, Shapiro is trying to keep his employees healthy and safe so they can handle the massive influx of household trash that is accumulating as more Americans self-quarantine at home.


"Our residential volumes are drastically increased," Shapiro said. "People are calling in and asking for increased services. We can't do that on a short-term basis. It's just a nightmare."

Tenleytown Trash workers are wearing masks made by the Washington National Opera's costume department.
Tenleytown Trash workers are wearing masks made by the Washington National Opera's costume department.

Republic Services, one of the largest waste management companies in the US, said it expects the volume of residential garbage to increase by as much as 30%. In order to redirect resources and address the growing amount of day-to-day household waste, about 50 communities nationwide have paused curbside recycling pickup and dozens have suspended yard waste collection, according to the Solid Waste Association of America. Other companies are shifting workers to residential routes and away from slower commercial routes where many of the businesses have closed.

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Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/09/economy/trash-collection-coronavirus/?iid=ob_lockedrail_longstory_pool

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Also--related--it the TP shortages. Not just the hording--but folks, kids not using bathrooms at schools, gyms. places of work, sports events, restaurants, etc etc





Rumpke Waste & Recycling has hired new employees in the last week to handle a massive influx in household trash.

Rumpke said he's facing financial losses due to the dramatic drop in commercial and industrial business, but his main concern right now is keeping his employees safe and meeting the increased demand for residential waste pickups. He's prepared to suspend yard waste and bulk trash pickup if necessary.