NYC Garbage Man | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #467

TL;DR

An engaging discussion with a former NYC sanitation worker, sharing experiences and insights about the job.

Transcript

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Key Insights

• 💅 The job of a garbage man requires physical endurance and resilience, often involving long hours and challenging conditions.
• 🧑‍⚕️ The camaraderie among sanitation workers helps them navigate the difficulties of the job, often using humor to cope.
• 🇳🇨 New York City has a diverse workforce in sanitation, reflecting its multicultural identity.
• 💦 Understanding the financial benefits of the job, including pension plans, can change the perception of sanitation work as merely a fallback.
• 😑 Many community members are starting to appreciate the role of sanitation workers and often express gratitude.
• 😮 The experience of collecting unusual items from trash, including fun surprises, is a unique aspect of the job.
• ❣️ The job can be dangerous due to heavy machinery and unpredictable situations, requiring caution and bravery from workers.

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired you to become a sanitation worker?

In New York, many people take civil service jobs as a fallback, especially if they don't go to college. I took the sanitation test, motivated by the stability and potential pension benefits. It’s a respected job with good pay, so after passing the test, I saw it as a viable career path.

Q: What were some of the funniest or most bizarre items you found while collecting trash?

There were so many crazy finds! One time, I opened a bag and saw a sewing machine that had a needle, which ended up hooking my thumb. Another time, we found multiple old Jenga sets and even a moped on the street, which turned into a fun side project for me when I got it working!

Q: What was the most challenging part of the job?

The physical demands are definitely tough, especially on those long shifts, often extending up to 12 hours in poor weather conditions. On rainy days, and during the winter, it was a constant battle against wet clothing, slippery roads, and substantial snow, which would lead to long hours and heavy lifting.

Q: How did you cope with the challenging smells associated with garbage collection?

You do get used to the smells after a while. Initially, the odors can be overwhelming, but after years of collecting trash, you develop a kind of immunity to it, focusing more on the work at hand than the unpleasant odors surrounding you.

Q: What was the camaraderie like among sanitation workers?

The bond we shared was incredible. We often worked in pairs or teams, and there was a lot of mutual support. In stressful moments, humor and camaraderie helped us cope with the physical strains of the job, including joking around and sharing stories to keep morale up.

Q: Can you describe what a typical day would look like?

A typical day started at around 6 AM, often requiring us to drive to different neighborhoods. We'd pick up garbage for several hours, returning to the garage to dump and start the process again. We also had various responsibilities like snow plowing and maintaining city streets, particularly in winter.

Q: What do you miss most about working as a garbage man?

I really miss the camaraderie with my teammates and the satisfaction of completing a physical task every day. The job was full of surprises, whether fun moments with community members or unexpected finds on the job, and I appreciated the value of sanitation work in keeping the city running smoothly.

Q: How has the perception of sanitation work changed over the years?

There’s a growing respect for sanitation workers that wasn't always there. With increasing awareness of their crucial role, especially in times of crisis, people are beginning to see us differently. Now, many folks acknowledge our hard work when they see us on the job, and that recognition means a lot.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Wayne Owen, a former New York City sanitation worker, describes his 20-year career in the garbage collection industry, sharing insights into the challenges and experiences he's encountered.

• The conversation highlights the importance of sanitation work, the cultural perceptions around garbage collection, and the financial benefits of the job, including a good pension plan.

• Owen discusses various aspects of the job, including dealing with unusual items, hazardous situations, and the camaraderie among sanitation workers while navigating the challenging working conditions.