City News

The City of Tuscaloosa Environmental Services Department will recognize Garbage Man Appreciation Day throughout the week of June 13-17.

The day of recognition, held annually on June 17 as part of a national campaign, will highlight the importance of waste management professionals while showing gratitude for these hard-working men and women in the City of Tuscaloosa.

"The work these employees do impacts the entire city,” said Stacy Vaughn, interim director of the City of Tuscaloosa Environmental Services Department. “That work is often overlooked because most garbage, trash, recycling and litter collection happens when people are at work or at school or still asleep.”

"Solid waste collection is consistently one of the most dangerous jobs in the country,” Vaughn added. “Our employees work in and around traffic, operate heavy machinery and get close to hazardous material, and do so in extreme temperatures.”

A focal point of Garbage Man Appreciation Day will be a collection of over 400 “thank you” notes and drawings on display at the Environmental Services Complex throughout the week of June 17. Children who have toured the Complex were asked to create these notes and drawings as a way of showing their appreciation for ESD employees.  

The City of Tuscaloosa will also feature a social media campaign geared at helping the public recognize and appreciate the work sanitation workers and drivers do every week. 

Tuscaloosa residents are encouraged to leave “thank you” notes or cold beverages for their respective solid waste collection workers throughout the week of June 13-17 to show appreciation for these dedicated individuals. 

For more information about Garbage Man Appreciation Day call Tuscaloosa 311 at 205-248-5311 or visit garbagemanday.com.