(E-Scrap News) More Cleaning, Less Collection: Firms Try to Protect Workers

Staffing Levels Greatly Reduced - No Visits - No Collection Events

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At Brockport, N.Y.-headquartered processor Sunnking, changes came quick as the virus began to impact daily life across the state.

“One of our founding principles, if you will, is openness and transparency and inviting people to come see what we do,” said Adam Shine, vice president of Sunnking. But when the virus hit New York, visits by any non-employees stopped altogether.

As the situation in New York worsened, Sunnking began to take a harder look at safety-related changes.

“We identified somebody to clean full-time, all the time,” Shine said. This employee began constantly wiping down and disinfecting desks, cabinets, handles, every common surface in the facility.

Sunnking’s main site is in Brockport, and it recently opened a second facility (in Utica, NY). Shine said both locations are operating, but the staffs at each site are scaled down and furloughs have occurred.

Employees who don’t need to be at the facility every day are working from home, and the company is using video-call software to keep staff in communication.

Sunnking workers who are still on-site are using masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE), and are practicing social distancing measures. Employees are maintaining at least six feet between one another. The company is also staggering lunch and break times.

Sunnking modified its drop-off collection process at its facility to reduce interaction between the public and employees. In the past, visitors would come to a door and ring a bell, and an employee would come to assist them. Now, the facility has bins outside with signage where people can drop off devices, but there is no interaction with workers.

Inbound volumes are down substantially, but Sunnking is still seeing some public interest in its drop-off option.

When drivers go out to pick up materials, they’re wearing gloves and masks. And the company implemented a precautionary waiting period after reports that the virus can live for hours or days on certain surfaces.

“When we get the material back to our facility, the material will sit there for at least 24 hours before anybody touches it,” Shine explained.