00:00Snow packed streets, frozen trash bins and pickups that suddenly don't happen.
00:07When winter storms and dangerously cold air move in, trash and recycling service can hit pause.
00:12And it's not something crews take lightly.
00:14For sanitation crews, winter weather can turn risky fast.
00:17Garbage and recycling trucks are massive heavy vehicles that don't mix well with icy hills, sharp turns and untreated roads.
00:25In snow and ice, controlling that much weight gets tricky real quick.
00:29Some cities say snow and freezing temperatures can make streets and alleys downright impassable, forcing crews to skip routes.
00:36Extreme cold adds another layer.
00:39Freezing temperatures can mess with hydraulics, slow engines and cause the trash to freeze solid inside the bins.
00:46During major snowstorms, sanitation workers may also be reassigned to help clear roads.
00:51And landfills or transfer stations can temporarily close when snow and ice make conditions unsafe.
00:57So what can residents do?
00:59Clear snow and ice around bins, make them easy to spot and shovel a safe path for crews.
01:04A little cardboard in the bottom of the can can help keep trash from freezing.
01:09And securing lids keeps snow from turning bins into ice blocks.
01:14Winter weather doesn't just disrupt travel.
01:16It can throw off everyday routines.
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