A program that cleans up litter around Vancouver has received a heavy-duty donation that will boost efficiency: a dump truck.
Talkin’ Trash — which is operated by the nonprofit Share — employs people who are currently or formerly homeless. Last year, employees removed 226 tons of trash from about 60 areas around Vancouver, including homeless encampments.
But now, Talkin’ Trash’s six full-time employees will be able to lift a heavier load. Robertson & Olson Construction donated the Freightliner dump truck. And with a grant from the Marie Lamfrom Foundation, Talkin’ Trash purchased three 20-cubic-yard trash containers.
Talkin’ Trash used to have to make 20 trips to deliver 4.3 tons of garbage to the dump. Now, it takes 11 trips to haul more than 14 tons.
“This will make it all a lot easier to clean up more areas and clean up in a more time efficient manner,” said Tony Colin, Talkin’ Trash manager. “For participants, it’s also helping build their soft skills and hopefully open more job opportunities.”
Colin said several Talkin’ Trash employees have landed other jobs.
One of them is Susan Schone, who has worked for Talkin’ Trash since February. She said she’s learned a lot working for the program. She became a certified peer-support worker and uses her training to connect with people while cleaning up the streets.
She will take the skills to her new job working for the city of Vancouver on its trash cleanup team.
On a recent morning, as residents of a downtown Vancouver homeless camp were just beginning to stir, Schone, who lives at one of the Safe Stay communities, had already been up for hours. She helped some other crew members clean up an overflowing dumpster and then slung a large garbage bag into Talkin’ Trash’s new dump truck.
“I’ve learned a lot at this job. It’s given me more of a purpose,” Schone said. “I lost all hope of being out there in the streets. But I’ve learned to find my hope again out here.”
Nicole Reeves has worked for Talkin’ Trash for almost a year. She said the job has turned her life around. Reeves, like Schone, is leaving to join the city’s cleanup team. She also just got approved for housing.
“Everything’s coming together,” Reeves said. “And honestly if it wasn’t for (Talkin’ Trash and Share) I wouldn’t have any of this. This program definitely encourages people to make better choices and allows people to make step forward in their life.”
