An NYC sanitation worker who's been on the job for 25 years explains the changes he's seen in the city throughout the pandemic, from lots of cardboard boxes to the loss of human interaction

Joey Hadden,Katie Nixdorf,Amelia KosciulekJun 1, 2020, 18:54 IST

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

Sanitation workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the US, and they've been deemed essential workers throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Around 10,000 people work for the New York Department of Sanitation. Of them, 628 have tested positive for COVID-19, and seven have died, the New York Department of Sanitation told Business Insider on May 27.
The Department of Sanitation has taken steps to protect workers, like beginning day shifts one hour earlier at 5 a.m., when there are fewer people on the street, and supplying workers with masks.
Sanitation workers say there are other differences too, like more trash to pick up in residential areas, and worrying that someone who is infected with the coronavirus has thrown out something that's contaminated.

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The New York City Department of Sanitation collects around 12,000 tons of trash and recycling each day.

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

There are about 10,000 people working for the New York Department of Sanitation. Workers run 1,200 curbside collection trucks every day.

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

Angel Santiago, 60, is an NYC sanitation worker who retired on May 15. His age puts him in an at-risk group during the coronavirus pandemic.

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

Santiago also has at-risk family members to worry about. "I have an elderly father ... and my wife has breathing issues," he told Business Insider. "So I'm afraid that if I get infected, I'll infect them."

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

Santiago also has at-risk family members to worry about. "I have an elderly father ... and my wife has breathing issues," he told Business Insider. "So I'm afraid that if I get infected, I'll infect them."

Santiago told Business Insider that despite the risks, he never considered not going into work.

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

"With the pandemic going on, I feel like it's a duty to come and help out the rest of the city," Santiago told Business Insider. "We're first responders, we're essential workers, and we have to be out here to help out everybody else."

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

"With the pandemic going on, I feel like it's a duty to come and help out the rest of the city," Santiago told Business Insider. "We're first responders, we're essential workers, and we have to be out here to help out everybody else."

The New York City Department of Sanitation has taken steps to protect workers amid the pandemic. One change they've made is beginning day shifts at 5 a.m., one hour earlier, to limit interactions with the public.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The New York City Department of Sanitation has taken steps to protect workers amid the pandemic. One change they've made is beginning day shifts at 5 a.m., one hour earlier, to limit interactions with the public.

Trucks and garages are also being cleaned daily, and workers are required to wear masks and gloves.

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

Sanitation workers like Santiago walk eight to 10 miles a day while picking up trash.

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the New York City Department of Sanitation has seen an increase in recycling pick-up. Between March 16 and May 10, 2020, the department collected 7% more recycling than it did in the same time frame in 2019.

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the New York City Department of Sanitation has seen an increase in recycling pick-up. Between March 16 and May 10, 2020, the department collected 7% more recycling than it did in the same time frame in 2019.

In residential areas, this is likely because people at home are cleaning out basements, closets, and garages, the New York Department of Sanitation told Business Insider.

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

In residential areas, this is likely because people at home are cleaning out basements, closets, and garages, the New York Department of Sanitation told Business Insider.

Santiago noted that the change is also likely because people are getting more deliveries during the pandemic. "There's a lot more cardboard," he told Business Insider. "You got your Amazon, your FreshDirect, and all that stuff."

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

Santiago noted that the change is also likely because people are getting more deliveries during the pandemic. "There's a lot more cardboard," he told Business Insider. "You got your Amazon, your FreshDirect, and all that stuff."

There's also been a change to the social elements of the job. Mike Squiciari is an NYC sanitation worker who told Business Insider earlier this year that he'd been on the job for 33 years. A fun part of the job, he said, is building relationships with the residents, supers, and store owners who live along his routes.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

There's also been a change to the social elements of the job. Mike Squiciari is an NYC sanitation worker who told Business Insider earlier this year that he'd been on the job for 33 years. A fun part of the job, he said, is building relationships with the residents, supers, and store owners who live along his routes.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, much of that camaraderie has disappeared. Kieth Mellis, executive officer and bureau of public affairs, told Business Insider that there are no more "hellos, smiles, and high-fives" from neighbors.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Since the coronavirus outbreak, much of that camaraderie has disappeared. Kieth Mellis, executive officer and bureau of public affairs, told Business Insider that there are no more "hellos, smiles, and high-fives" from neighbors.

Santiago, who spent 25 years on the job before retiring in May, said it has always been an honor to work for New York City.

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

"You get to work outside, you get to help the city out, you get a good pension, you get good people around you," Santiago said.

Barbara Corbellini Duarte/Business Insider, Adam Miller/Business Insider

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An NYC sanitation worker who's been on the job for 25 years explains the changes he's seen in the city throughout the pandemic, from lots of cardboard boxes to the loss of human interaction

The New York City Department of Sanitation collects around 12,000 tons of trash and recycling each day.

There are about 10,000 people working for the New York Department of Sanitation. Workers run 1,200 curbside collection trucks every day.

Angel Santiago, 60, is an NYC sanitation worker who retired on May 15. His age puts him in an at-risk group during the coronavirus pandemic.

Santiago also has at-risk family members to worry about. "I have an elderly father ... and my wife has breathing issues," he told Business Insider. "So I'm afraid that if I get infected, I'll infect them."

Santiago told Business Insider that despite the risks, he never considered not going into work.

"With the pandemic going on, I feel like it's a duty to come and help out the rest of the city," Santiago told Business Insider. "We're first responders, we're essential workers, and we have to be out here to help out everybody else."

The New York City Department of Sanitation has taken steps to protect workers amid the pandemic. One change they've made is beginning day shifts at 5 a.m., one hour earlier, to limit interactions with the public.

Trucks and garages are also being cleaned daily, and workers are required to wear masks and gloves.

Sanitation workers like Santiago walk eight to 10 miles a day while picking up trash.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the New York City Department of Sanitation has seen an increase in recycling pick-up. Between March 16 and May 10, 2020, the department collected 7% more recycling than it did in the same time frame in 2019.

In residential areas, this is likely because people at home are cleaning out basements, closets, and garages, the New York Department of Sanitation told Business Insider.

Santiago noted that the change is also likely because people are getting more deliveries during the pandemic. "There's a lot more cardboard," he told Business Insider. "You got your Amazon, your FreshDirect, and all that stuff."

Since the coronavirus outbreak, much of that camaraderie has disappeared. Kieth Mellis, executive officer and bureau of public affairs, told Business Insider that there are no more "hellos, smiles, and high-fives" from neighbors.

Santiago, who spent 25 years on the job before retiring in May, said it has always been an honor to work for New York City.

"You get to work outside, you get to help the city out, you get a good pension, you get good people around you," Santiago said.