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Helping Each Other: The sanitation industry sends a strong reminder about keeping them safe

What you put in your trash can be harmful to them
Posted at 6:39 PM, Mar 23, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-23 23:21:20-04

(WXYZ) — Because of the COVID-19 pandemic more people and more families are at home.

As we continue to learn more about this virus, the sanitation industry wants to remind all of us that how and what you put in your trash can be dangerous for the folks who collect it.

7 Action News Reporter Andrea Isom got a first hand look.

“More loose trash and stuff like that in these cans and we tip them everyday. this is how it’s going. That gets in our faces. That gets in our eyes. As a garbage man, this is the kinda of stuff we have to deal with, especially with the virus going on. I’m gonna end up bringing it home to my family,” says Matt, a Metro Detroit sanitation worker.

Matt has worked in the industry for almost 4 years. Of course, he knew what he signed up for.

However, with the Coronavirus in our midst, a lot has changed. There are more people home. More trash to collect. And, for him, more reasons to sound the alarm.

“We’re human beings out here on the street too, doing them a service,” says Matt.

Please make sure all of your trash is bagged and tied off. Think about him and all of the people in the sanitation industry. And let’s do a better job, of helping each other.

You can let us know about a Helping Each Other story we should be covering by emaiing connectwith7@wxyz.com.

Additional Coronavirus information and resources:

Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.

Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michgian, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.

View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.

Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.

See all of our Helping Each Other stories.

See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.