What do you know about hazardous waste?: September 2012

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Recycling Jobs

As you may know, I have a minor in Sustainability and my house-mates and I are die hard recycle-manias, have our own vegetable and herb garden, as well as our own compost bucket.

http://facilities.ucsb.edu/departments/recycling/faq/default.asp

In Winona, we have switched to a recycling system where they (the city of Winona) sort out your recyclables for you. I was thinking the other day how nice it is to put all of the recycling bottles, cans, boxes, papers, etc. in one place as it is easier for more people to recycle. Then I considered those who actually end up doing the sorting. According to Recycling Jobs Now Even Dirtier and More Dangerous, the workplace they sort the materials is unsafe, dirty, and doesn't pay much. Also according to a Forbes article, sanitation and recycling employees have the 7th most dangerous job in the U.S. with "25 deaths per 100,00 workers." This is because they breathe in toxins and if they cut themselves on the job, they risk infection or contamination as it is all done by hand.

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/s4iT0RSlXfk/Volunteers+Begin+Clean+Up+After+137+000+Fans/PNTL32UO9p7

I think there should be (if it hasn't already been done), a Dirty Jobs episode about those who have this job. Maybe that would spark some simpathy as they aren't getting paid nearly as much as they should. You would think, along with other dangerous jobs, that they would get paid more for their labor and risking their health and lives. I really appreciate those who recycle and those who do the actual sorting.