Garbage collectors are sometimes hailed as the unsung heroes of ‘throw away’ society due to the fact their work is essential to public health, the environment and the smooth functioning of communities. But sometimes we accidentally make their job harder than it needs to be.
Such was the case in Brisbane this week, where a Queensland man snapped footage of a bin collector having to leave his truck to personally move and empty a red-lidded bin, which was obstructed by a parked motorcycle. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia on the condition of anonymity, an east coast garbo warned the scenario is all too common, saying it is both “annoying” and frequent.
‘Annoying’ trend on streets criticised by Aussie garbage collector
In the vision, a man films from his balcony while watching a garbage collector jump out of the vehicle and physically attach the bin to the truck’s latch to be emptied.
Online, people were quick to call out what they described as inconsiderate behaviour on the motorcyclist’s behalf. Though, not all saw it that way.
“What wanker left their bike there?” one person asked. “I have neighbours that do this, pull up and block the bins, and just walk inside,” said another.
“It’s not the driver’s responsibility to get out of the truck — I would have driven off,” argued a third.
“That’s a very considerate bin man. In WA, if a vehicle parks in front of your bins they skip emptying it,” one person commented while another claimed “there’s no way” their “bin man would go to that much effort” .
Speaking to Yahoo, the east coast garbage collector said while frustrating, it’s a difficult situation to police. “It’s annoying but it can’t really be stopped,” he said, adding that the issue is distinctly prevalent in the suburbs.
He said particularly during the festive period when garbage collectors are “so busy”, it’s “annoying” when “collecting from such small streets”.
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