WASHINGTON — After an extended cold snap led to a delay in garbage collection, D.C. is launching an unprecedented effort to clean up the streets.
Extra crews from the Department of Public Works will be on hand this weekend, plus the city is hiring nearly three dozen temporary workers.
“This is the first time we’ve ever had to do this,” says DPW Director Bill Howland.
“We’re hiring about 34 temporary employees to help us.”
Thirty trucks from private companies will be added to the regular DPW fleet.
The plan has support from union leadership with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
“It is unprecedented that we’d use outside resources to get this work done,” says City Administrator Rashad Young.
According to the DPW, over the last two weeks, about 30 percent to 40 percent of trash has gone uncollected due to severe, icy conditions, especially in alleys.
“It is creating real challenges for our crews to get in there and get those cans,” says Young.
Crews plan to salt the dangerous spots and pick up all the garbage that has been left behind.
They will co-mingle trash and recycling to speed up the process.
The Bowser administration has labeled the effort “All Hands on Deck,” promising to finish the job before the end of the weekend.
According to Young, it may cost between $40,000 and $50,000, although he calls that a “rough estimate.”
