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Trash collecting jobs coveted in the District

Being a trash collector is one of the most sought-after jobs for those without a college degree in the District, with openings on the city’s 50 trash routes few and far between.

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Jan. 30, 2012

The crews meet before the sun rises at the Solid Waste Collections Division site on W Street NE. Spots on the back of D.C.'s sanitation trucks are highly coveted. Most of the workers who land a trash collecting job stay put for decades.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

D.C. Department of Public Works employees meet at the Solid Waste Collections Division site on W Street NE before the sun rises. Spots on the back of a D.C. sanitation truck are rare, as trash collecting jobs are some of the most coveted for those without a college degree.

Jan. 30, 2012

D.C. Department of Public Works employees meet at the Solid Waste Collections Division site on W Street NE before the sun rises. Spots on the back of a D.C. sanitation truck are rare, as trash collecting jobs are some of the most coveted for those without a college degree.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Crew chief Tavis Clinton, 34, has worked at the D.C. Department of Public Works for 13 years. He walks to his truck at the Solid Waste Collections Division site on W Street NE as the sun rises.

Jan. 30, 2012

Crew chief Tavis Clinton, 34, has worked at the D.C. Department of Public Works for 13 years. He walks to his truck at the Solid Waste Collections Division site on W Street NE as the sun rises.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Crew chief Tavis Clinton does a pre-check on his truck at the Solid Waste Collections Division site on W Street NE before he heads out for the day with his team.

Jan. 30, 2012

Crew chief Tavis Clinton does a pre-check on his truck at the Solid Waste Collections Division site on W Street NE before he heads out for the day with his team.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

A crew does a pre-check on their truck at the Solid Waste Collections Division site on W Street NE before heading out to their route.

Jan. 30, 2012

A crew does a pre-check on their truck at the Solid Waste Collections Division site on W Street NE before heading out to their route.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Maurice J. Queen, 64, has worked at the D.C. Department of Public Works for 42 years. He does a pre-check on his truck before leaving.

Jan. 30, 2012

Maurice J. Queen, 64, has worked at the D.C. Department of Public Works for 42 years. He does a pre-check on his truck before leaving.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Sanitation technician Barry Nix, 48, had been on the job for 25 years.

Jan. 26, 2012

Sanitation technician Barry Nix, 48, had been on the job for 25 years.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Sanitation technician Barry Nix, 48, had been on the job for 25 years. At right is Lorenzo Bland, 46, who has been on the job for 25 years.

Jan. 26, 2012

Sanitation technician Barry Nix, 48, had been on the job for 25 years. At right is Lorenzo Bland, 46, who has been on the job for 25 years.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Sanitation technicians Barry Nix, 48, left, and Lorenzo Bland, 46, ride to their next pick-up site. They have both been on the job 25 years.

Jan. 26, 2012

Sanitation technicians Barry Nix, 48, left, and Lorenzo Bland, 46, ride to their next pick-up site. They have both been on the job 25 years.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Sanitation technician Barry Nix, 48, has been on the job for 25 years. He waits for the truck to pull forward to empty the contents of a trash can into the back of the truck.

Jan. 26, 2012

Sanitation technician Barry Nix, 48, has been on the job for 25 years. He waits for the truck to pull forward to empty the contents of a trash can into the back of the truck.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Sanitation technicians Barry Nix, 48, left, and Lorenzo Bland, 46, pick up trash in a D.C. alley.

Jan. 26, 2012

Sanitation technicians Barry Nix, 48, left, and Lorenzo Bland, 46, pick up trash in a D.C. alley.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Sanitation technician Lorenzo Bland, 46, has had his job for 25 years.

Jan. 26, 2012

Sanitation technician Lorenzo Bland, 46, has had his job for 25 years.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Sanitation technicians collect trash to place in the back of the truck.

Jan. 26, 2012

Sanitation technicians collect trash to place in the back of the truck.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

A sanitation worker is reflected in a mirror while he collects trash.

Jan. 26, 2012

A sanitation worker is reflected in a mirror while he collects trash.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Sanitation technicians Barry Nix, 48, left, and Lorenzo Bland, 46, have both been on the job 25 years.

Jan. 26, 2012

Sanitation technicians Barry Nix, 48, left, and Lorenzo Bland, 46, have both been on the job 25 years.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

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