Waste, Recycling Workers To Be Honored In Prince William

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Prince William County is preparing to honor the county's waste and recycling workers who have been working throughout the coronavirus crisis. As part of National Waste and Recycling Workers Week, which runs June 14-20, the county is encouraging residents to express thanks and appreciation to the workers with cardboard signs and banners taped to trash carts.

Trash and recycling collection have become an especially critical and essential service during the coronavirus crisis, according to the Prince William County Department of Public Works. "The men and women working in the waste and recycling industry are on the front lines protecting human health and the environment," the county said.

National Waste and Recycling Workers Week officially started in 2013. Even though the annual celebratory recognition of collection company employees at the county landfill is not possible, the county said there are many ways that residents and businesses can show support and appreciation during the week of June 14-20, including:

• Slow down and pay extra attention when approaching or passing a collection vehicle.
• Wave to your collector (keep six feet away) to show your awareness and appreciation of
• their efforts.
• Follow the provided guidelines for size and weight limitations and types of materials discarded in the regular trash and recycling bins.
• Properly dispose of hazardous materials; do not put them in the trash.
• Use more caution when putting harmful items in the trash such as glass or hot ashes.
• Consider ways you can reduce, reuse and recycle items instead of throwing them in the garbage.
• Express thanks and appreciation with a chalk drawing on the sidewalk or driveway, or a cardboard sign, banner taped to your trash cart/can.
• Give the landfill attendants an air high-five.

To learn how you can show support during National Waste and Recycling Workers Week, visit the website set up to honor waste workers. Residents also can also send celebration ideas and photos to PWCRecycles@pwcgov.org.