What is the weirdest thing you have seen put out for hard waste collection?

"The weirdest thing I’ve seen is a coffin,” said Anthony. “Luckily, it was empty!” 

What do you wish Geelong residents knew about your job?

We wish people would realise that being angry or rude isn't going to make us collect items we aren't able to. When a collection is booked, more than one type of truck might need to attend, depending on what is out for collection. For example, a rear-loader garbage truck can’t pick up mattresses, so a mattress may not be collected at the same time as other hard waste you have out for pickup.
We want people to remember that we are human. We are just doing our job, and like everyone, we want to be treated with respect.

What are the misconceptions you think people have about waste workers?

The main misconception that some people seem to have is that waste workers are stupid. This is not the case! We know our job, what can and can't be picked up and always meet safety and compliance regulations.

Tell us some of the safety risks of your job.

There are many safety risks with a manual pickup. There can be concealed sharps inside a roll of carpet, for example. Even though we are trained to handle and carry things safely, a concealed sharp object can puncture through even thick items, such as carpet, and cause a stick injury. Concealed hazardous waste, such as a gas bottle or a fire extinguisher hidden in a box of fabric, can explode when the compaction/crushing mechanism is engaged. Hazardous items can bounce around inside the truck and cause a fire. Fires in trucks, landfill sites and resource recovery sites are a growing problem. Not only is this hazardous to waste workers, but it is also dangerous to the community.

Has your job changed how you think about waste and changed any of your habits?

Seeing things other people throw away has changed how we think before deciding to throw something out. We now ask our family, friends or neighbours if what we no longer use or want is anything that they could use or re-purpose. Finding someone who can use something in good condition is better than seeing things sent to landfill or for recycling.

Anthony and Grant’s tips to reduce waste

 Find ways to use less (for example, repair instead of replace) and recycle as much as you can.

What do you like to do when not at work?

“I love to go down the coast with my partner. Pretty much anything involving a beach is what I like to do,” said Anthony. Grant said, “I like staying at home and relaxing with my partner.”