Simple Ways to Make Someone's Day

Garbage and Recycling Collectors

• Think about what you trash. Cat litter improperly disposed of is a pet peeve, says Terrance Flynn, a New York City sanitation worker. "People put it in a bag hidden inside another bag," so unsuspecting workers don't see it, says Flynn. The blade that scoops up trash often breaks the bags, spraying the litter everywhere.
• Don't overload containers. Americans create an average of 4.6 pounds of garbage per person a day, and some routes cover up to 1,000 homes. Heavy cans and bins can cause muscle sprains.
• Never mix recyclables and trash. This can be illegal, plus "it's a nuisance, and it costs the city money," says Flynn.
• Watch where you put the bins. Don't leave them where dogs might think they're trees or fire hydrants (blocking hydrants is a safety hazard, too).