Without dedicated refuse collectors, Frankfurt would look very different.

Tina Zapf-Rodríguez thanks FES employees for their daily commitment on the occasion of International Garbage Collector’s Day

The shift starts early. The work gets done, even when it rains, storms, or the summer sun is blazing. On the occasion of International Garbage Collector’s Day (June 17), Frankfurt’s Head of Department for Climate, Environment and Women, Tina Zapf-Rodríguez, thanked the employees of FES Frankfurter Entsorgungs- und Service GmbH.

“The work of waste collectors is more than just a job – it is an indispensable contribution to cleanliness and quality of life in Frankfurt. Every day they are on duty shows how important their commitment is. That is why they deserve not only our thanks on one day of the year, but our respect and appreciation every single day for their tireless work,” said Zapf-Rodríguez.

She also once again expressed concern about the dangers in waste. In Frankfurt, hardly a day goes by without a fire in a garbage truck or a waste treatment facility caused by an improperly disposed battery. Batteries are installed in e-bikes, mobile phones, electric toothbrushes and many other products. Every single battery counts and must be disposed of correctly. If this does not happen, the number of fires will increase significantly in the future.

FES Managing Director Benjamin Scheffler says: “Anyone who disposes of batteries or rechargeable batteries in household waste endangers people and risks fires causing major property damage. Everyone must take responsibility here.”

International Garbage Collector’s Day has been held since 2011 and takes place every year on June 17.