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Garbage collectors in the Corona crisis: what would happen without their help

2020-04-03T06:39:28.231Z


More time at home also means: more waste is created at home. This makes people in Germany all the more dependent on a functioning waste disposal system.


More time at home also means: more waste is created at home. This makes people in Germany all the more dependent on a functioning waste disposal system.

  • Many people are at home because of the corona pandemic.
  • Waste at home increases accordingly.
  • Waste disposal must continue to function.

Waste disposal system-relevant in Germany

Waste disposal in Germany is considered " systemically important" . In other words, it simply cannot work without them - and certainly not in the corona crisis *. Because many people are currently spending more time at home than usual, this also means that more waste is generated at home .

So that the increasing waste does not become an increasingly problematic waste, the help of everyone involved is required: The Federal Environment Ministry has asked people in Germany to avoid and sort waste in the corona crisis.

Waste disposal in the corona crisis more important than ever

The Ministry of Svenja Schulze (SPD) said that this did not apply to households with infected people or justified suspected cases: There, organic and packaging waste as well as waste paper in stable and knotted bags belonged in the residual waste bin. Used glass, deposit bottles, electrical waste or batteries should be disposed of normally after the end of the quarantine at home. For all other households, waste separation is now "more important than ever".

Accordingly, the attention and thanks in the Corona crisis - in addition to the supermarket cashiers, carers and many other systemically relevant professions - is currently also particularly the waste disposal companies . Her profession has never received as much esteem as it currently does.

Waste disposal companies as heroes of the corona crisis

However, while many employees in the so-called systemically relevant professions are currently described by politicians as the "heroes" in the crisis, their salary is often comparatively low.

According to a report by Spiegel Online with reference to figures from the Federal Statistical Office, the average gross monthly salary of full-time employees in waste collection in 2019 was EUR 2,473 for unskilled workers, EUR 2,974 for semi-skilled workers and EUR 3,395 for skilled workers.

Find out more here : Heroes of the Corona Crisis - These are the salaries of employees in systemically relevant professions

The job - especially in these times - is anything but easy. The garbage bags have become more, as a Kiel employee of the garbage disposal told the Deutschlandfunk. The fact that many people are now staying at home is also noticeable: Because the streets are even more crowded, it has become more difficult for the garbage trucks to get to many corners. But he doesn't want to complain. "We try to keep our distance on the way, just take one more step around the colleague and then it works."

Waste prevention - politicians ask for help from the population

The Ministry of the Environment meanwhile emphasizes: Everyone depends "so that the residual waste bins do not overflow and hygiene rules are observed." Waste prevention and proper waste separation are all the more important during the coronavirus pandemic. It is not for nothing that experts warn that if garbage disposal collapses, it could quickly lead to a rat infestation.

The Association of Municipal Enterprises welcomes the request of the Federal Environment Ministry: "It is good that the BMU is clarifying the situation and is still in favor of the separate collection." This is also important so that the residual waste disposal is not overloaded.

Also interesting: Corona pandemic - can the employer order overtime - and what about the vacation?

Do you want to stay up to date with the latest career news? Then follow our industry page on the Xing career portal.

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* merkur.de is part of the nationwide central Ippen editorial network

Source: merkur

All life articles on 2020-04-03

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