SWANA urges public to be more mindful of what they’re putting in trash and recycling

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) urges the public to take necessary steps to protect sanitation workers from coming into contact with potentially contaminated items during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The sanitation departments and hauler employees collecting waste and recycling are working under very challenging conditions due to increased residential volumes and concerns over exposure to COVID-19 in material placed at the curb,” SWANA Executive Director and CEO David Biderman says. “We urge citizens to help protect these hardworking employees and reduce the burden on the solid waste collection system.”

SWANA asks residents to not participate in spring cleaning at this time because of the large amounts of trash that are already being put out while people stay at home. Some communities report up to a 38 percent increase in residential trash collected. In addition, workers are called upon to work even more carefully right now, sometimes with fewer people.

Studies suggest the virus can live on plastic for two to three days and on cardboard for 24 hours. For this reason, SWANA says all trash should be placed in a closed plastic bag or in a container such as a cart. SWANA says the public also can help protect workers by washing their hands before taking out the trash and by sanitizing the lids and handles of bins and carts.

Medical waste such as masks, gloves, wipes and tissues should never be put into recycling carts or bins, as contaminated materials can be passed along to workers who will later sort it by hand. This material should be allocated to the trash; however, many communities are seeing high rates of gloves and masks ending up as litter, the association says.

Additionally, SWANA says residents should check with their service provider for any changes made at this time, such as the closure of drop-off centers or the suspension of yard waste collection.