Ex-bin man shares big difference between collecting rich and poor people's rubbish

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A former bin man has shared the biggest difference he noticed when collecting rich people’s rubbish versus collecting poorer people’s rubbish. Being a refuse worker isn’t for the faint of heart, it’s a physically gruelling job with early starts in all manner of weather conditions.

Waste collectors are responsible for sorting and collecting household rubbish , as well as commercial and business waste, then loading it onto a large lorry where it can be dragged along and crushed by a compactor blade to make space for more. They’re essential workers who help to ensure communities remain clean, hygienic and tidy.

One ex-binman, who doesn’t wish to be named, spoke about his experiences - and a big difference he noticed when collecting rubbish in more affluent areas as opposed to parts of the community which were less well off.

He explained: “I was surprised by the generosity and kindness some people showed us - we’d be out in the sun or working a heatwave , sweating and struggling, and so many people would come out with cold drinks and ice lollies, pushing them on us and making sure we had something to drink.

“They’d tip us too - but it was always the people who looked like they had nothing that did this. I couldn’t believe it, especially at Christmas , we’d get loads.

“I didn’t know you could tip a binman until I started working for the council; our binmen were always done before I woke up so I would never see them and never gave it a thought. When working though, there were some areas we’d get to later in the day and these people would always be waiting, forcing their money on us.”

By contrast, more affluent areas gave them nothing. The former binman, 35, continued: “I would never expect a tip for doing my job, especially when people are paying council tax which is expensive, but it was always a nice bonus and when you’re lugging mountains of rubbish about - it felt good to get that recognition and kindness from people.

“We’d done this particular area, which was very working class and not at all wealthy, before we went to a really rich area and because we’d had tips from people with less, I assumed we’d get something from the rich people but we never got anything.

“My colleague just laughed at me when I mentioned getting a tip or a drink in this area. He then told me about the time he and one of our other colleagues helped a Premier League footballer.

“I won’t say who it was, but he had all this excess rubbish and recycling to get rid of and they helped him sort it out and took it all away when it wasn’t their responsibility to do that. He just said thanks and walked off.”

He added: “I’m not saying you have to tip, I’m really not, but it was a shock to hear a millionaire who got extra help didn’t even bother with the gesture of a tip when people who are struggling to get by would ply us with drinks and snacks, then give tips on top. It was really eye opening.”

There’s many opinions on life as a binman, often shared on social media. One person took to Reddit to share their gratitude.

They penned: “Ever since I was young, whenever I messed up I was told that I would ‘end up like a bin man’ when I’m an adult. But I never understood it.

“I respect bin men, they wake up and handle garbage which many of us wouldn’t have the guts to do. And someone needs to do it.