MANCHESTER, Conn. — Recycling is a way of life for Esmond Lee, a longtime maintenance worker at the Shoppes at Buckland Hills.
Over the past 15 years, the 65-year-old has quietly removed over 200,000 cans and bottles from the garbage at the Manchester mall, primarily collecting from the food court.
RELATED: Shoppes at Buckland Hills employee prevents 200,000 cans and bottles from entering landfills
The Shoppes at Buckland Hills’ management estimates that Lee, a Hartford resident, has prevented more than 20 tractor-trailers full of recyclables from entering local landfills. To honor the accomplishment, the mall put up a display in the food court featuring Lee’s photograph and a description of his work.
People across the region are responding to Lee’s remarkable story, inspired by the immigrant from San Angelo, Jamaica, who gained employment at the mall in 2001 shortly after arriving in the United States. In addition to supplementing his income, Lee has donated his recycling proceeds to a church in Jamaica.
Among Lee’s admirers is Manchester Mayor Jay Moran, who honored the maintenance worker with a proclamation of appreciation in the mall late last month. Moran describes Lee as an “everyday hero” for recycling and making a positive impact on the environment.
“Work ethic is so important. Basically, his actions speak louder than words,” Moran said. “In this day and age, the more we recycle, the better it is for the environment and the better it is for all of us… For Mr. Lee to go around doing that, he’s doing a lot for his community and for the environment and for the world.”
During the ceremony, Lee was surrounded by his colleagues, who cheered for him as he was honored. Moran believes the reception Lee received says a lot about his character.
“What was impressive is that his supervisors and the mall staff and the people at the mall, they were just so proud to be there when he received the [proclamation] from us. He’s a legend there,” Moran said.
Lee never expected to be recognized for the work he’s undertaken. Following the gathering in the food court, he said it would be a moment he would remember for the rest of his life.
“I will never forget that. It was a special day,” Lee said. “It was very good, very good [to be joined by my coworkers]. I told them to come around. I invited them.”
Moran spoke on the significance of recycling. He says that that more and more, not enough people do it in their own homes and that Lee’s effort sends a strong message to residents, encouraging them to take the simple step.
“It says to any generation that this gentleman, Mr. Lee, cares. He isn’t doing it just to collect the cans, he’s doing it because he thinks it’s better for the community,” Moran said. “At the same time, he’s actually educating so many people. It’s not that hard to separate your recycling from your garbage. He’s leading by example, saying recycling is so important.”
Moran is most moved by Lee’s humble demeanor. He said that Lee is a shining example of the fact that regardless of what one’s job is, there is always a path that leads to helping others.
“It doesn’t matter what you do in life, what your title is; do your best, make a difference in the world, and that’s all that matters,” Moran said. “Mr. Lee appreciates working with the people he works with and takes great pride in what he does. I think he just makes people around him better people too.”
Moving forward, Lee will continue doing what he does. Since he was a little kid, cleaning has been central to his existence. Now, he hopes his story will motivate others to follow in his footsteps.
“Do it right. Pick up the cans when you see them. All the time, all the time, all the time,” Lee said.
Following the ceremony, Lee keeps his certificate from Moran and the Town of Manchester close by. Never one to seek praise for his efforts, Lee still can’t believe that the mayor of the town he works in stopped by the mall to congratulate him.
“It was a very good feeling. I felt very proud, very happy and all that to know that somebody comes to you to say, ‘Thank you for what you have done.’ That’s respect,” Lee said.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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