What supplies are needed to pick up trash?

Answer 1

For self-protection:

• Good work gloves
• face mask in case it is windy outside AND to keep your hands away from your mouth
• a handkerchief to tie around your hair, to cover hair
• goggles to keep hands away from rubbing your eyes
• bottled water that you can throw out later
• a way to wash up afterwards

If something gets on your gloves (even if you can't see "it"), you can transfer "it" to your skin, mouth, face, eyes.

For job sites:

• sturdy, strong trash bags
• a flat shovel
• a broom
• strudy cardboard, to make a funnel to insert into garbage bag

Misc.

• a sturdy stomach if picking up food garbage
• a strong back for the work
• knowledge of good body mechanics-- i.e. bend at knees, not from waist
• good sturdy shoes, for comfort and support
• old clothing or work jumpsuit, coveralls - zip up or snap up the front is easiest

Be aware that even if you are picking up road debris in front of your own house, you *can* come across nasty stuff that other people dropped or threw, including but not limited to:

• drinking bottles (risk: saliva as body fluids)
• used condoms (risk: body fluids)
• used tampons or pads (risk: bloody body fluids)
• used tissues (risk: respiratory body fluids)
• Human feces or urine
• Animal feces or urine
• etc.
• ALL of these may contain viruses or baterium and can spread illness