The waste sector continues to gain recognition for its work in the municipal frontline during the coronavirus outbreak, with communications experts suggesting that public recognition could become a permanent feature of the pandemic.
One highlight came as part of VE Day celebrations last Friday (8 May), during the televised performance of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ after the Queen’s Speech, which featured a Buckinghamshire council waste vehicle.
[Below is the performance from the BBC on YouTube (Buckinghamshire after 2.07).]
‘Proud’
Buckinghamshire cabinet member for environment and climate change, Bill Chapple told letsrecycle.com that he was proud that council staff had been featured in a moment of history.
Cllr Chapple said: “Just as our troops were on the front line all those years ago, our essential workers are now fighting a very different kind of enemy. Being part of the VE Day celebrations with such a classic song, reflects those collection efforts and indeed the resilience of the nation in fighting this global pandemic.
“The signs on the side of the wagon also gave us an ideal mobile billboard for important coronavirus messaging, visible to hundreds of residents every day on the rounds.”
Invisible
Waste industry communication specialists have told letsrecycle.com that the lockdown has forced people into remaining in their homes where they are able to see first-hand the work done by the sector, with some saying it could become a permanent feature.
Stephen Bates, director of the Mobius Agency and resources and waste advisory group, said that waste is a “ubiquitous thing that everyone produces”, often meaning that waste collectors are “invisible” to residents.
He said: “Waste management is a largely invisible endeavour. People don’t see it because it’s so much part of our life. Most people don’t see their waste crews because they aren’t awake yet or they are at work and school when the guys and girls come to empty their bins.
“The lockdown has forced everyone to stay at home, so they are seeing the guys still out when everyone’s been told its safer to stay at home. They are physically seeing something which they hadn’t seen or noticed before. So the sheer presence becomes much more obvious.”
Mr Bates added that anything that supports the waste industry in the public’s perception is a “good thing”, and hopes that crews are “seen and embraced” going forward.
Long term
Pat Hindley, head of communications at Joint Waste Solutions — which manages waste services for Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Surrey Heath and Woking — said the recognition the sector is achieving could be one of the few positives from this “extraordinarily challenging time”.
We have to think about what could be the positive long term benefits and impacts that we take forward. And that includes recognition by the public of these roles”
She commented: “These are challenging times that we are living through but we have to think about what could be the positive long term benefits and impacts that we take forward. And that includes recognition by the public of these roles that perhaps people take for granted.
“As soon as the coronavirus started to happen, we initiated a campaign on how residents can help bin crews to continue to do their job. It consists of a range of different things, and a part of that was showing appreciation, such as giving them a wave or a smile. We encourage that, because we think bin crews deserve that recognition. They are doing their job, day in day out.”
Ms Hindley added that waste crews are additionally dealing with a tougher workload, as people have been putting more waste because they have been staying at home.
Future
Other organisations have said they hope that it could be the start of more appreciation from the public for waste crews in the future.
Richard McIlwain, deputy CEO of environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, said: “It’s wonderful to think that something as simple as a cheery note of recognition and thanks pinned to a bin can put a smile on the face of those staff who are working diligently outdoors, throughout the year and in all weathers to keep our country clean and litter-free.
“I hope this is the beginning of a wider recognition of the essential service waste collection teams provide and their role in helping us reduce waste and recycle more.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment