Meet Dante: Yard waste site service worker for Ramsey County
Over 500,000 residents visited Ramsey County yard waste sites last year. Yard waste site monitors are essential to the day-to-day running of these sites and help keep operations running smoothly, particularly during busy months in the fall and spring. Dante Zuk is one of these monitors. Learn more about his responsibilities and job duties.
At a glance
Name: Dante Zuk
Year started: 2022
Role: Yard waste site service worker
Main duties: Open and close yard waste sites and supervise materials coming in.
What does your work look like day to day?
We greet anywhere from 300-400 residents a day who come to the yard waste site to drop off materials. Monitors verify loads coming into the yard waste site to make sure only accepted items are brought to the sites, such as leaves, branches and food scraps. We also help direct residents to other locations if they bring in items that aren't accepted at our sites like dirt or wood chips.
What is one thing you wish more people knew about the Ramsey County yard waste sites?
I wish more people knew what a great program this is for residents. Almost 100% of the materials brought in get reused. The wood is used for fuel/energy, the soft plant material is composted directly onsite and the food scraps are sent off to be turned into compost. Residents can also pick up wood mulch and compost for free when the materials are available. It's a great program for Ramsey County residents.
What is a challenge you face in your job?
Weather is probably the biggest challenge we face daily. We are outside greeting residents rain, shine, sleet or snow.
What is a skill that you think is essential to succeeding in this job?
Communication skills are a must in this position. We interact with a lot of residents every day. Sometimes it takes careful communication if a resident has brought in a material that is not accepted. De-escalation skills are handy to have, as we are there to assist the residents.
When I'm not working at the White Bear Township yard waste site, you can find me...
At the Rice Street "Old School" Boxing Gym where I coach and mentor in support of Minnesota's Silver/Golden Programs and U.S.A. Boxing.
Tips to avoid a long wait at yard waste sites
This article is featured in Green Ramsey, an environmental health newsletter from Ramsey County.
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