“Shelter-in-place”, “social
distancing” and “essential business” have become everyday phrases in this Year
of the Coronavirus. Everyone has their own list of “essential” businesses or services
and every person’s list of what they consider essential will be different. One
service/business which deserves to be included is trash removal.
The
humble work of garbage collection does not get attention until missing. We
learned that the hard way one Christmas when our daughter was 6
At
the time, our neighborhood was new. Because of the holiday season, a replacement
driver was running the route. He missed our neighborhood the week before
Christmas.
The
week of Christmas, we not only had the trash from the week before, but the
trash from Christmas week including all the extra empty boxes and wrapping
paper that come when parents celebrate Christmas with young children. We figured
the trash people would surely make it that week.
Nope.
It wasn’t until the third week that the garbage truck finally toodled its way
back into our neighborhood. By this time, our garbage can (we only get one can,
one pick-up, once a week) was not only overflowing, but we had collected eight additional
bags to go with it. The “official” garbage policy—no more than two extra bags—required
a plan.
As
soon as the trash truck made its way to our curb, we leapt into action. I
engaged the driver in chit-chatty conversation (which I have never been good
at), while my husband scurried to the back of the truck and started tossing in garbage bags as fast as he could. As soon as I saw him leave the
truck and get back in our yard, I smiled, wished the truck driver a Happy New
Year, and said good-bye.
Ever
since then, I have been keenly aware of the importance of garbage collectors
and I appreciate them keeping at their task even in the midst of the pandemic.
Besides
first responders and health care professionals, what other essential workers would
you like to thank for their work in this troublesome time?
the village garbage and recycling service, plus the tree chipper that comes on garbage day to scoop up curb-side piles of branches.
ReplyDeleteAnd the mailman, who comes earlier than usual with less junk mail to sort.
Definitely the mail carrier, as well as delivery people.
ReplyDeleteI usually prefer shopping in person (I like to see and/or try on what I'm buying). But that's not practical right now.
You're right about the garbage service. We don't have municipal trash collection; everyone has to contract for their own. But it's great--with notice, they will remove bulk items (one a week) as well as household refuse. We never discard yard waste. I figure if whatever it is took energy & nutrients from the soil, it needs to be returned to the soil, even if it's eventually, like the tree limbs we toss into the woods.
Definitely the garbage folks. I'm amazed that ours have not missed a pickup. Of course the first responders and medical folks. Exhaustion must be their name at this point.
ReplyDeleteAlthough like most folks I strive to stay home, the grocery store workers deserve a special thanks. They are laboring on the front lines daily and in some cases early on were denied what we now consider essential protection. Thank you one and all!
Yes, certainly the people who are continuing to work in stores and restaurants!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who is of retirement age, but finds it necessary to work. She works at Walmart, which is a big employer of older folks. Her hours have increased. Since her supervisors know she is careful and thorough, she now spends her eight hour shifts cleaning. She used to work the self-checkout, which isn't much better.
Love how you distracted the garbage driver! Even when the schedule shifts a day later because of holidays, I miss the trash pickup.
ReplyDeleteI'm also grateful to those workers providing services to pets and animals.