The job of sanitation worker is one of the most difficult of many municipal worker. Dealing with garbage means dealing with vermin, bad odors and other challenges.

One way that the City of Newburgh’s sanitation might be able to do its job more easily and more efficiently is by standardizing the garbage receptacles being used in the city. George Garrison, the city’s public works superintendent, took the lid off that discussion at last week’s council work session.

Garrison said his crew collects an average of 12 tons of garbage per day. On a rainy day, since many garbage cans now in use have no lids, that number can be as high as 19 tons.

In communities that employ private sanitation haulers, the garbage can is often provided. These typically have affixed lids and can be lifted and emptied by the sanitation truck. Garrison envisions a similar scenario in the city of Newburgh, with modern trucks and a standardized garbage receptacle.

Garrison said money has been set aside to pay for some new cans, but council members suggested that some sort of criteria would be needed to determine who would get a free can from the city and who would need to pay for their own. Garrison said new ones could cost $110-$120 apiece.