In the wake of the devastating floods that have recently struck Auckland, local waste collectors are going above and beyond to help with the clean-up efforts. Andrew Sclater, Operations Manager for Northland Waste and Econowaste explains; ‘It has been extremely busy, our local teams from Whangarei, Warkworth and Silverdale have been working round the clock. Currently, we are assisting Auckland Council’s relief efforts and have crews in Waitakere, North Shore, and Central Auckland, dropping off bins and assisting with street clean-ups. We understand how important it is to get things back on track quickly following an emergency event like this one –and we won't let people down."

With homes and businesses inundated with water and mud, these heroic waste collectors have been tirelessly working around the clock to ensure that debris is quickly removed so that residents can start rebuilding their lives. As one collector explained: “I feel like I’m doing something important here; it's a once in a lifetime situation that hopefully won't happen again for a very long time. Some of the stories from the affected homeowners are heart-breaking, we're happy to help. It makes you grateful to be able to do something positive”

It's clear that these waste collectors are playing an invaluable role in helping Auckland recover from its recent ordeal, not just through removing debris but also by providing moral support to those affected by this disaster. Our essential service heroes deserve full recognition for their efforts and, again, are at the forefront of keeping our communities safe and healthy.