Recology driver not ready to recycle his customers, though he’s eligible for retirement

BERNARD LEWIS WALKED to his car, opened the door, unlocked the glove compartment and pulled out a Ziploc bag. “These,” he said, “are some of the letters and photos my customers sent me.” Crayoned notes from young children, photos of smiling families on vacation, ‘thank you’ letters. He handled them carefully.

Lewis drives for Recology Sunset Scavenger, operating one of those one-person trucks that picks up and empties the blue recycling bins. This September marks his 20^th year, which means he is eligible for retirement. Though he’s 61, he’s not so sure about that step. “They’re like my family,” he said, raising the plastic bag. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”