Despite the cancellation of a city-led spring cleaning initiative, employees at a London-based waste management company have banded together to rid area ditches of coffee cups, fast food containers, and other trash.
TRY Recycling said its workers removed 1,450 lbs of roadside garbage from city streets on Wednesday.
The cleanup effort came less than a week after city officials announced the annual 14-day Clean and Green program had to be postponed due to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. However, TRY Recycling employees, who are deemed essential, didn't want to forgo the litter pickup they have taken part in for the past number of years.
"Our team decided if we had the time and the equipment we could fill that gap – just a bit – for our neighbours and customers and so they did and TRY is proud of their willingness to help – in every situation," Chris Humphries, sites supervisor for TRY Recycling, said in a statement. "We even had people stop and, from their cars, thank us."
The workers maintained physical distance while scouring ditches.
Company President Jim Graham praised his crew for its hard work during these uncertain times.
"I’m so pleased they took such initiative. It shows how every action contributes to something positive and while we struggle with the chaos of the pandemic, it’s great when we do something good – just because we can," said Graham.