In most cases, I heard few complaints from the other workers. They simply dealt with the situation, tried to clean up any trash that had fallen to the ground and muscled every bit of trash they could into the truck. Sanitation worker Scott Smith told me the keys to the job are patience and pride. Sanitation work can be extremely frustrating, he said, so you just have to step away from the situation when you feel yourself getting angry. Of course, not everyone takes Smith and his co-workers for granted.
Some customers leave cold drinks out for the workers on hot days.
Some leave out baked goods or vegetables from their gardens. On the Friday before Easter, Smith said, a woman on his crew's route gave them Easter candy. At the Refuse Department's office and garage by US-24 highway, a collection of thank you letters, cards and other notes of appreciation covers one wall, reminding the workers that they are valued. The pay is decent, too. Like other county workers, they get full benefits.