Recycling Center Recovers Lost Diamond Wedding Ring
Workers at a South Carolina recycling center successfully recovered a resident’s diamond ring, demonstrating exceptional teamwork. The city commended the Public Works team for their extraordinary effort in this rare find.
By Beth Snider · February 2, 2024
A remarkable display of teamwork as workers at a South Carolina recycling center successfully located and recovered a resident’s lost diamond wedding ring after it slipped off her finger and into a recycling bin.
Melanie Harper of Greenville visited the Rutherford Road recycling center on Sunday, January 28, to dispose of her recyclables. Unfortunately, her diamond wedding band fell off during the process, creating a daunting challenge for the city’s Public Works department.
Undeterred, Harper emailed the department, expressing her acknowledgment of the slim chances of finding the ring but requesting assistance if discovered during the recycling process. On Monday, rather than processing the entire contents of the recycling bin, Public Works supervisors and litter crew members decided to empty the bin onto the ground and initiated a meticulous search for the precious ring.
Travis Golden, a Public Works employee, emerged as the hero of the day after hours of diligent searching. The city aptly described the moment as striking “white gold” and promptly informed a grateful Melanie Harper of the successful recovery.
On their Facebook post, the City of Greenville expressed its gratitude to the dedicated Public Works team members, including Travis Golden, Jeff Hammond, James Burnside, Frank Daigneault, and Manny Cruz, for their commitment to the community. The post highlighted the rarity of such a find, comparing it to “finding a needle in a haystack” and commending the employees for their exceptional efforts. Facebook users flooded the comment section with praise for the workers, with some suggesting they deserve a celebratory dinner for their hard work.