City of Tampa Solid Waste Celebrates Hurricane Cleanup Heroes with Pollo Tropical Feast News General, News Solid Waste The City of Tampa is honoring its Solid Waste workers[...]

The City of Tampa is honoring its Solid Waste workers with a well-deserved celebration after their monumental efforts in clearing debris following two devastating hurricanes.

To show gratitude for their hard work, Pollo Tropical, led by Tampa native and resident, Dirk Montgomery, will provide meals for more than 200 Solid Waste employees and their families during a celebratory event this weekend.

The department faced an unprecedented challenge this Fall when back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton, left behind more than 1.3 million cubic yards of debris. This was enough debris to fill Tampa's iconic downtown high-rise, Rivergate, also known as the Beer Can Building, four times. Crews, alongside more than 300 contracted haulers, worked tirelessly up to seven days a week, logging over 118,000 hours, to restore Tampa's streets and neighborhoods ahead of the Christmas holidays.

"This celebration is about recognizing the incredible dedication of our Solid Waste team," said Solid Waste Director Larry Washington. "They worked around the clock, ensuring Tampa's residents could enjoy a clean and safe environment for the holidays. We're proud of their efforts, and we're grateful to Pollo Tropical for helping us honor them in such a meaningful way."

Dirk Montgomery, CEO of Pollo Tropical, witnessed the impact of the hurricanes firsthand as a long time Tampa resident. "The resilience and commitment of these crews are inspiring. Their efforts not only cleaned up our city but also restored a sense of normalcy for all of us," said Montgomery. "It's an honor to give back to the people who've done so much for this community."

The cleanup effort was historic, involving multiple passes through neighborhoods to ensure all debris was removed. Crews completed the work by December 20, ahead of schedule, giving residents a clean start to the holiday season.

The celebration event will take place at the City of Tampa Solid Waste headquarters, featuring remarks from city leaders, a meal provided by Pollo Tropical, and activities for employees and their families.