As the mercury rises and the concrete sizzles under the brutal summer sun, Raleigh’s Solid Waste Services department is taking measures to protect its workers from oppressive heat. In a recent advisory, the City of Raleigh announced that garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection might face delays due to the high heat index. Residents are being asked to park their patience along with their waste carts at the curb — these will be picked up, albeit potentially later than usual, in the sweltering conditions.
In the spirit of community cooperation and consideration for the hardworking collection crews who brave the heat, Raleigh requests that curbside customers have their carts out by 6 a.m. on their collection day. And for those who prefer to doze rather than dash out at the break of dawn, the night before seems the perfect time to roll your carts to the curb. According to the City of Raleigh’s official statement, the adjustment in the collection schedule is a small act that can make a big difference in ensuring the safety and health of the crew members.
The city assures residents that during this period of ‘beat the heat’ operations, there will be no warnings or fines for carts that linger at the curb beyond the usual pick-up times. The focus is on getting the job done without risking the well-being of the service workers in the face of heat advisories. A delay in pick-up is a small price to pay for the safety of the individuals who perform one of the city’s most essential functions, often under-acknowledged and underappreciated…