Across Pennsylvania, sanitation workers collect, transport, and properly dispose of waste and recycling in our neighborhoods. Regardless of temperature or inclement weather, these individuals ensure our communities remain clean and safe. However, sanitation departments across Pennsylvania struggle to retain workers due to the physically taxing nature of the work and persistent threats to staff health and safety.
 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, sanitation workers were a critical component of the essential workforce. These community members worked extended hours, up to seven days a week in some cases, to meet increased demands across the state. For instance, stay-at-home orders led to a 30% increase in trash collections, further exacerbating issues plaguing the sanitation workforce.
 
The work sanitation workers do is invaluable and fundamental to our daily lives and the environment. Nationally, the week of June 17th is recognized as “Waste and Recycling Workers Week.” As such, we will introduce a resolution to recognize the week of June 17 through 23, 2024, as “Sanitation Workers Week” in Pennsylvania.  
 
Please join us in co-sponsoring this resolution to celebrate our sanitation workers and show appreciation for their contributions in keeping Pennsylvania beautiful.