We celebrate the week of June 17 each year as Waste and Recycling Workers Week to recognize the people who help keep our neighborhoods and streets safe and clean and raise awareness about the importance of the work they do and the risks they face while doing it. All too often it’s a thankless job, and we encourage county residents to make the time to thank these indispensable individuals.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the eradication of many diseases has occurred thanks to higher public sanitation standards resulting from effective garbage disposal. Before waste management systems, people mostly littered, burned or buried their trash. Some cities were overrun with garbage and simply built right over it, while others pioneered new ways to address the problem. Today we understand that the proper collection and disposal of waste and recyclables is vital to ensuring water quality and preventing disease, litter and illegal dumping.
The people employed by Baltimore County and the private refuse collection and hauling industry in our community make significant contributions to citizens’ safety, health and welfare.
The waste and recycling workers who collect more than 250 million tons of trash, recycling and organic materials generated by Americans each year also have one of the nation’s deadliest occupations and deserve the community’s support and appreciation.
Baltimore County celebrates the hundreds of trash collectors, dumpster haulers, sewage workers, street cleaners and all others employed in the recycling and waste management industry to serve residents and local businesses. You don’t need to wait until Waste and Recycling Workers Week 2023 to show your appreciation. Thank your waste and recycling workers today!