Tuscarawas County recycling collector retires

After 43 years of collecting curbside recyclables, Rick Norman has retired. The 77-year-old Scio resident spent decades picking up paper, cardboard, shredded paper, plastic, glass and metals to keep them out of landfills. His final day of collection was July 31.

At the Aug. 1 Tuscarawas County commissioners meeting, Norman received a proclamation from the commissioners and an Excellence in Service Award from the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Recycling District recognizing his dedication.

In 1982, a former employee of the Tuscarawas County Litter Office asked Norman if he would collect recyclables in Uhrichsville, Dennison and Newcomerstown. “She said, ‘I will give you this job. We don’t know how long it will last, but we will give it a try,’” Norman said.

He began with a van, unloading items at drop-off sites, often starting work at midnight. “I rarely saw any people; however, if you wanted information, I would talk to a cook or custodian that were working,” he said. “I have really enjoyed the job.”

Over time, he upgraded to a box truck with a trailer, making 400 stops in Newcomerstown, 150 in Uhrichsville and Dennison, and 75 in Roswell, Barnhill and Midvale, visiting larger villages four times a week. He also collected recyclables from Indian Valley and Tuscarawas Valley school districts, Dover, New Philadelphia, Strasburg, the former Rush Christian School, the county courthouse and many local businesses.

Norman drove an average of 25,000 miles a year, logging more than one million miles in service to Tuscarawas County residents.

A Vietnam War veteran, Norman served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1969, including in Cambodia. For his bravery, he was awarded two Purple Hearts.

Norman said he has no definite retirement plans but looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Sue, his daughters, and grandchild, and fishing at Tappan Lake.

His legacy, he said, is one of “bravery, quiet commitment, tireless work, and a green future for the community he loves.”