Jun 14, 2021
It’s no doubt that ACUA employs some of the hardest workers! In honor of Waste and Recycling Workers week, we are inviting the community to take a few minutes to thank our crews.
Our Collections Department performs a job that most don’t realize is one of the most important factors in ensuring the health and safety of our communities – curbside waste pickup! Our team of more than 130 dedicated employees wakes up early every day to provide trash, recycling, or yard waste collection to 22 communities across Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties. This includes 146 weekly trash routes, 82 weekly recycling routes, and 30 commercial recycling routes. In fact, our team services more than 659 square miles. As you can imagine, this no small task!
In addition to being exposed to the elements and the unpleasant nature of trash, our employees can sometimes encounter dangerous situations when incorrect material is placed in curbside bins. For example, we’ve had to put out truck fires from vacuum and vape pen batteries incorrectly disposed of in household trash cans.
Over the years, our employees have done some remarkable things in the community. Staff members have rescued important lost items accidentally placed in the trash can – most recently a woman’s diamond ring; have helped elderly residents in emergency situations; and have made many small children happy just with a beep of their horn. The consistency, professionalism, and genuine dedication of our employees is what truly sets them apart.
If you’d like to share a thank you or a positive experience with the ACUA crew, please submit your note here or download a coloring sheet for your family to leave for crews on your curbside bin: www.acua.com/thankyou
In addition to thanking our crew members, we also invite you to take the actions below to keep our employees safe on the job.
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Slow Down to Get Around. NJ law now fines drivers for not properly slowing down for sanitation trucks. Please drive carefully when near waste and recycling collection vehicles!
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Dispose of Waste Properly! Not everything belongs inside of the trash can. Some items can be hazardous! Find out the proper disposal of your waste by visiting our Waste Wizard: acua.com/wastewizard
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Containers Should Not Exceed 49lbs. Containers that are too heavy can be dangerous for workers to safely lift (carts are not subject to these same weight restrictions). Please be sure to not dispose of waste inside of drums or barrels, instead use a properly labeled container designed for outdoor collection.
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Know when your collection day is and place your containers curbside by 7 a.m. You can check your collection schedule and sign up for a reminder notification at: acua.com/reminders