PORTLAND, Maine — Portland officials are investigating two city employees who were caught on camera throwing trash and recyclables into the same truck while making pickups downtown.
In the footage shot by a West End resident, two men are shown throwing large purple bags of trash into the back of a garbage truck along with recyclables residents placed in blue containers and paper bags.
Portland’s policy for curbside pickup stipulates that three trucks collect trash in special purple bags while three other trucks collect recyclables. Employees are only allowed to mix trash and recycling in special circumstances.
Bob Leeman, interim director of public works, says the video shows a violation of policy that is not the norm and is unacceptable.
It’s unclear how the workers, who weren’t identified, will be disciplined.