Curbside recycling pickup resumed Tuesday after a five-month suspension. Among the regular DPW crews there were seven news faces from local community organizations working to pick up trash and recycling. Among them, Sheldon Smith-Gray. “I never ever thought I’d be a trash person,” said Smith-Gray. The 23-year-old is on week two working side by side with DPW workers, including a supervisor. He’s learning the ropes. “Now that I am doing it and seeing what they go through, I respect it so much more,” he said. “It’s just a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

It’s an opportunity made possible with the partnership between Baltimore City and community-based organizations like ROCA and Living Classrooms. Last week Mayor Brandon Scott announced the partnership adding it would help fill essential worker positions while giving hard-to-employ individuals job opportunities. “This is an innovative way DPW is stepping up to provide those kinds of opportunities and allow someone to be able to part of a service that is desperately needed,” Scott said last week.

To reade the full story, visit https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/new-dpw-crew-member-reflects-on-first-day-of-restoration-of-curbside-recycling-pickup.
Author: Dave Detling, WMAR 2 News
Image: WMAR 2 News

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