City: Trash, recycling containers on snowbanks present hazard for collection crews

Cedar Rapids officials today asked local residents not to place garbage cans, recycling bins and other solid waste containers on top of snowbanks, citing safety concerns for Solid Waste and Recycling collection crews.

Here's the news release from the city:

The winter months present a variety of hazards for both residents and the Solid Waste and Recycling Collection crews.  One of the major hazards facing the men and women collecting garbage and recycling is removing containers from snow banks while maintaining their footing.  Placing containers on top of snow banks creates a safety hazard for crew members by putting the weight above their center of gravity.  Crew members have slipped and fallen under trucks and been injured trying to wrestle the containers down from the tops of snow banks.  In order to protect the health and safety of our workers, the City of Cedar Rapids Solid Waste and Recycling Division has instructed crew members not to collect garbage cans and bags, CURBY carts and other recycling bins placed on top of snow banks.Residents can place their garbage cans and bags, and recycling bins or CURBY carts in their driveway three feet back from the curb.  This will allow plows to pass the property without knocking over the containers as well as protect our collection crews from injury.  Another solution would be for homeowners to clear a spot of snow to the side of their driveway large enough for garbage, recycling and yard waste containers.  Containers should not be placed in the street where they can be struck by oncoming traffic.  Placing the containers in your driveway or at street level will help the men and women collecting the garbage and recycling to properly lift the containers while maintaining their footing.

Residents can place their garbage cans and bags, and recycling bins or CURBY carts in their driveway three feet back from the curb.  This will allow plows to pass the property without knocking over the containers as well as protect our collection crews from injury.  Another solution would be for homeowners to clear a spot of snow to the side of their driveway large enough for garbage, recycling and yard waste containers.  Containers should not be placed in the street where they can be struck by oncoming traffic.  Placing the containers in your driveway or at street level will help the men and women collecting the garbage and recycling to properly lift the containers while maintaining their footing.

The Cedar Rapids Solid Waste and Recycling Division thanks residents for their compassion and understanding as we work to provide a safe environment for our crews.