Keeping Sheboygan Clean: The Thankless Task and Unseen Efforts of Our Garbage Collectors

In Sheboygan County, our garbage and recycling collectors perform a vital service that often goes unnoticed. These men and women work tirelessly to keep our neighborhoods clean and waste-free, ensuring that our community remains a healthy and pleasant place to live. Yet, the challenges they face, particularly during holidays, often go unrecognized, creating disruptions not only in their work but also in the daily lives of Sheboygan County residents.

Holiday Disruptions: A Challenging Routine

Whenever there is a holiday, garbage and recycling pickup is delayed by a day. This is because the hardworking men and women who collect our waste are given a well-deserved day off to spend with their families. However, when they return to work, their week begins as if it were a Monday, regardless of the actual day. This schedule adjustment ensures that the entire week’s route is followed correctly, but it also means that their workload can increase significantly. They must catch up on the collection schedule, often working longer hours to ensure that all routes are completed on time.

For residents, this delay can be an inconvenience. It can be easy to forget about the holiday schedule and mistakenly leave bins out on the wrong day, leading to overflowing garbage that sits out on the curb for an extra day. But for our garbage collectors, this disruption means they must manage larger-than-usual amounts of waste in a shorter timeframe, all while sticking to their strict route.

How Residents Can Help: A Community Effort

There are several ways that Sheboygan County residents can make the lives of our garbage collectors a bit easier, especially during these disrupted weeks:

• Stay Informed: Make sure you are aware of the holiday schedule and understand how it affects your pickup day. Mark your calendar or set a reminder to take your bins out on the correct day.
• Properly Dispose of Waste: Ensure that all garbage is securely bagged and that recyclables are properly sorted. This helps prevent spills and reduces the amount of time collectors need to spend at each stop.
• Be Mindful of Placement: Place your bins in an easily accessible location. Ensure that they are not blocked by parked cars or other obstacles. This simple step can make a significant difference in the efficiency of the pickup process.
• Limit Large Items: If possible, avoid disposing of large items during holiday weeks. Hold off on setting out bulk waste until the regular schedule resumes, to help collectors manage their time more effectively.
• Show Appreciation: A simple “thank you” can go a long way. Our garbage collectors often work in difficult conditions and rarely receive recognition for their efforts. A kind word or a note of appreciation can make their day.

Making Life Easier for Everyone

By being mindful of these practices, residents can help ensure that garbage collection remains as smooth as possible, even during holiday disruptions. This not only makes the job easier for our hardworking collectors but also ensures that our streets remain clean and our community continues to thrive.

The next time a holiday rolls around, remember the challenges that our garbage collectors face and do your part to make their job a little easier. In doing so, you’ll also make life easier for yourself and your neighbors, contributing to a cleaner, more organized Sheboygan County for everyone.