(Columbia) Sept. 22, 2004 - Wilda Hawkins works for the South Carolina Department of Revenue in Columbia. She usually doesn't pay much attention to what's in her trash can, but that's change recently, because her trash is not emptied daily anymore.

Wilda says it's now taken out every other day, "I know I will have to do things different. If I eat something during the day at my desk and don't finish it, I don't want to leave it in my trash can."

The Department of Revenue is taking part in a pilot program by the Budget and Control Board. As a way to help the state save money custodial services have been reduced for the next few months.

Mike Sponhour of the Budget and Control Board explains, "Custodial is a labor intensive service, and it's something perhaps we could do with on an every other day basis. Most people don't empty their trash or clean bathrooms everyday. So, it just seems like something that was worth trying out."

At the Department of Revenue employee morale is mixed regarding the new custodial change, "It's already brought it down a little bit. I can tell in some other people, because we're like, 'Gosh, you know,' it's like one more thing that they're trying to do to not make us feel that important."

But, Keith Wicker of the department says, "Not having custodial service on a day-to-day basis, that's not a big deal from our standpoint."

This pilot program will continue before it's reviewed to determine if it will work in other state agencies.

by Lucas McFadden

updated 11:07am by Chris Rees