The coronavirus pandemic poses multiple risks for waste management workers in Pueblo and one operation is asking the public to help protect its employees.
The waste and recycling industry’s essential services continue through the pandemic and trash haulers risk danger on a daily basis.
“Basically we are just doing everything we can to protect our employees because we have to get the trash removed. That’s not an option,” said Becky Cortese, owner of C&C Disposal.
“We can’t shut down like others have been forced to because disease spreads when you don’t move trash.”
Cortese said she wants the community to be aware that trash needs to be bagged and sealed.
“While a lot of our customers already do that, there are significant numbers that don’t,” Cortese said.
She said loose trash is dangerous to all waste management employees who collect trash.
“They are having to touch trash or pick it up because it blows when it is tipped into the truck. It puts them at a greater risk,” Cortese said.
Amy Whitcomb, of A-Affordable Disposal, said her company also has changed things in the midst of the pandemic.
“The lest we have to handle, the better off it is. Especially if its trash,”Whitcomb said.
Customers have to bag any trash that is outside the trash can, Whitcomb said.
“If it’s loose they normally don’t pick it up. Especially now,” Whitcomb said.
Cortese and Whitcomb said their staffs also are taking precautions.
“We want them to continue to be mindful of what they are touching. We want them to wash their hands often,” Cortese said.
“We have other sanitizing things we are doing within the establishment. We are keeping things clean.”
Cortese said the company has adopted a three-phase plan of operations.
“We are on Phase One right now, but as things escalate, we will do more if we need to in the next phases,” Cortese.
Whitcomb said customers have been trying to give haulers things as a token of gratitude, but that they now may not accept it.
“It’s not that they don’t appreciate it. We just want to be safe.”
Whitcomb said A-Affordable will no longer allow walk-in business and that service may change in the future pending possible new state orders.
Officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said they have received many questions regarding the management of household and hospital wastes that could be impacted by the coronavirus.
“Generally, management of wastes should continue as normal. Care should be taken to limit direct exposure to waste using best management practices,” health officials said.
“Waste and recyclable material handlers and haulers should continue to wear personal protective equipment including gloves and eye protection while handling solid wastes.”
The state health department said waste handlers should follow manufacturer recommendations for disinfecting reusable personal protective equipment.
The report says that healthcare facilities should continue to handle infectious waste in accordance with medical waste management procedures.
“At this time, there are no indications that the presence of the coronavirus at a healthcare facility will create new infectious waste streams requiring special handling,” health officails said.
“For instance, hospital waste such as disinfecting wipes, personal protective equipment, or disposable food ware may be disposed of as solid waste in the trash. Per usual guidance, all non-recyclable wastes from households and hospitals should be bagged and tied before being placed in a trash receptacle.”
All of these wastes should be disposed of in a solid waste landfill permitted to accept municipal solid waste.
Contact the customer technical assistance line at 1-888-569-1831, ext. 3320 (outside 303/720 area codes) or [email protected] if you have any questions regarding waste handling and disposal.
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