A Tribute to Trash Collectors

Thursday is trash and garbage pickup day here in Boston. This week is also the week that students move in and out of apartments and rented houses… like the one across the street from me. The pile of furniture, shelving, boxes, and overflowing trash barrels waiting for the trash collectors on the curbside outside that house was ENORMOUS!  I went out to offer them water, commiseration, and appreciation. They thanked me and said that this particular assemblage of trash paled in comparison to others they had already picked up that morning.

The Unsung Heroes                                                  

Every morning, as many of us are just waking up or heading off to work, there’s a dedicated workforce already hours into their day. They are driving their trucks through our neighborhoods, performing one of society’s most essential yet underappreciated services. We may not think about them, but trash collectors are actually some of the unsung heroes who keep our communities clean, healthy, and functioning. They are  environmental stewards, public health guardians, and community servants rolled into one.  In his youth, my brother Tom was once one of them.

More Than Just Picking Up Garbage

Trash collection is no mindless, simple operation. It takes skill, stamina, physical exertion, patience, and unwavering dedication. In their big trucks, these workers have to navigate narrow streets, maneuver around parked cars, and suffer the glare or horns of impatient drivers. They lift hundreds if not thousands of pounds of garbage, waste, and trash during their shift. They face occupational hazards that many other workers never encounter, like sharp objects in bags, the moving and crushing operations of their trucks, and exposure to hazardous waste.

They work in all manner of weather conditions. The day may be stifling hot or frigidly cold. It could be raining, sleeting, or snowing. The roads could be slippery or icy. But the trash collectors keep to the schedules that millions of residents depend on. The logistics and expectations are daunting. Take a peek at this piece on a day in the life of a garbage service worker.

Trash Collection: An Essential Element of Public Health

Without trash collection, our communities would become breeding grounds for illness and environmental contamination. You may remember that during the COVID-19 pandemic, sanitation workers were rightfully classified as essential workers, continuing their duties even when much of the world stayed home. They’ve always been on the front lines of public health, preventing the accumulation of waste that could lead to pest infestations, noxious odors, contaminated air, soil, and water supplies, and their potential health impacts.

Some Safety Measures Are In Place

GPS route optimization, automated lifting systems, and advanced vehicle designs have helped improve worker safety.  Some trucks now feature cameras, sensors, and hydraulic systems that reduce physical strain, and smart waste management systems optimize pickup schedules and reduce unnecessary trips.

And the rise of waste-to-energy programs, composting initiatives, and advanced recycling has transformed the role from simple collection to environmental stewardship.

But compensation and the provision of other benefits vary considerably.  In my fair city (Boston) the average garbage collector makes $139,252, 53% above the national average garbage collector’s salary of $91,252. You can see wage data for some other cities here.  And find some info on other benefits here.

And the economic ripple effects of trash collection are significant. Clean communities attract businesses and residents, property values remain stable, and tourism thrives in well-maintained areas.

The Job Is Still Dangerous

Sanitation work is still dangerous – and sometimes deadly – as frequent readers of the Weekly Toll understand.  Heat, vehicle incidents, heavy machinery and toxic or explosive materials are common hazards. And many are public employees working in states where they don’t have OSHA coverage.

Just last week, a Granby, NY sanitation worker was killed in after being hit by a car. Two sanitation workers were killed on the job last year in Baltimore. One died of heat stroke working on a day when the heat index reached 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Another died after he was hit by a truck.

The 1968 Memphis sanitation workers strike for better working conditions, higher pay, and union recognition that led to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King was sparked by the death of two sanitation workers.  Echol Cole and Robert Walker were crushed to death seeking shelter from the rain in the back of a garbage truck.

Bottom Line

In a world that often overlooks essential services, we need to recognize trash collectors for what they truly are: indispensable community heroes who deserve our respect, appreciation, and support.

Simple gestures can go a long way. We can make their job easier by properly bagging waste, not overfilling containers, and keeping pickup areas clean. We can provide a kind word or offer a refreshment during hot summer days.

And we can advocate for fair wages, safe working conditions, and proper equipment. Many sanitation departments are understaffed and underfunded, making community support and political advocacy crucial.

From traditional waste collection to sophisticated recycling and environmental management, these professionals will remain essential to healthy, sustainable communities.

So, the next time you hear the rumble of a garbage truck or see sanitation workers on their routes, take a moment to acknowledge their contribution. They’re not just collecting trash—they’re protecting public health and helping to protect our planet.