Long-serving refuse collector was ‘committed to his job and city’
ONE of Cardiff’s longest-serving refuse collectors has died.
Steve Borde joined the council’s waste management team as a refuse collector on January 8, 1973, aged 17.
He died after a short-term illness on July 24.
Steve was a very popular member of the team at Lamby Way, and although he took short-term retirement in 2018, his dedication to his job saw him continue to work for three days a week.
Councillor Michael Michael, cabinet member for clean streets, environment and recycling, paid tribute.
He said: “Firstly I would like to send my sympathies to the family at this time and thank them for endorsing this tribute to Steve.
“Back in 1973, when Steve started at the council, the waste management industry was a very different business. In the early ‘70s, the majority of waste in the UK was just buried and forgotten about, which resulted in a number of environmental disasters across the country. This resulted in the beginning of new laws being brought in to protect the environment, with the Control of Pollution Act being brought into UK law in 1974.
“During the course of Steve’s working life, it is estimated that he would have collected over 65,000 tonnes of waste, walking over 100,000 miles through the streets of Cardiff while getting to grips with significant changes in vehicle technology.
“Rarely taking any time off work due to ill-health, Steve had to be told that he had to take his annual leave that he was entitled to, often being forced to take annual leave in March because he had too much leave left to take for the remainder of the year.
“Steve’s work ethic and dedication to his job over the years has shown his true commitment to the city, and he will be dearly missed by all those who knew him and worked with him over the years.”