Are you looking for an easy way to be your own boss? Need a business with low startup costs, yet it gives high financial returns? Starting a trash pickup business could be the perfect solution! If you want to learn how to make money picking up trash and keeping communities litter-free, keep reading!
Brian Winch Creator and author of Cleanlots – America’s easiest business. Brian went from a side hustle to a six-figure business in 1981, starting with little money, education and skills but a lot of passion, patience and perseverance.
He can teach you how to start and run a simple home-based trash business with a few simple tools like a laptop, internet connection, business cards, broom, dustpan, waste bin, and litter collection equipment.
Tell us how you got involved in trash picking.
I first did it when I was 12-13 years old. My father was a janitor who supplemented his full-time income by doing various outdoor side gigs. He would sometimes take me with him to mow the lawn, shovel the snow or pick up the trash.
He had a contract with a property management company to keep the property dirt (or litter) free outside of their retail plaza not far from where we lived. Before the store opened we would walk the sidewalks, parking lots, and landscape and clean up the trash people had left the day before. Items such as empty beverage cups, cans, bottles, fast food wrappers or candy wrappers, and cigarette butts. The simple hand tools we use make cleaning almost as easy as walking!
When I was 21 in 1981 and working full-time at a dead-end job, I began to remember my father’s side gigs. I didn’t go to college; I just finished high school. I didn’t have much in the way of skills or money, so why not start a simple side gig like my dad, I thought to myself. Just as I decided to start a litter sorting business of my own, my father died unexpectedly at the age of 61. I was more determined than ever to succeed and make my mother proud.
I started cold calling property management companies introducing myself and briefly explaining how my services would benefit them. My third or fourth call generated strong interest. I found a few addresses for a small and mid-sized retail strip plaza and provided my cost estimates for daily service after visiting and walking them. I was delighted when I was awarded the contract for both.
I cleaned after I got off my full-time job at 10 p.m. I will do some sales prospecting in the morning before going to work at 2pm. I quit my job after a few months when I started making more money from my side hustle business than my job. I continued to scale my business to a six-figure one-person operation and eventually an operation that deployed cleaning crews throughout my city with over $650,000 in revenue per year.
What are some benefits of trash and garbage pickup?
It is not a difficult task. Simple and unique hand tools make it clean, safe and easy. The service is best performed early in the morning before the business opens, so it doesn’t conflict with a day job if someone wants to make extra money on the side. Walking around outside provides some exercise. It’s rewarding to see the results of your work and know that you’re making your community a better place to live, work and play.
How much money can you make with a litter cleanup business?
How much do you want to make? You can easily earn $2,000-$3,000 or more a month working a few hours a day. Do you just want to work by yourself or hire people to help you? I trained a man from a simple side hustle to a nationwide seven-figure operation. There is no secret to success. If you work on your business, your business will work for you!
What type of personality does best with this business?
If you are a bit of an introvert or enjoy working alone, you should consider this type of job. I enjoy working early in the morning. I find my work peaceful and rewarding. I am introverted and have no difficulty communicating with my clients.
How long does it take to get up and running with this side hustle?
Not long if you follow the indicated steps my book. A process must be followed without taking shortcuts. You can start as soon as you finish reading my book.
How do you get involved with teaching people to start a trash clean-up business?
I had been in business about 4 years when the thought occurred to me that many others would be interested in learning how to start and operate a parking lot litter cleaning business. Either part or full time. I have already learned from my mistakes, so why not share my experience with others? I have nothing to lose because you can’t compete with me in my city and I can’t in yours. It’s an easy win/win.
I provide free support with my contact information in my book, Cleanlots. It’s my way of giving back and honoring my father. He was a hard working man who I never heard complain about many things in his life. If he needed to make more money, he found a way to do it.
What will people learn from your book, Cleanlots?
i wrote Cleanlots For those who have never been in business for themselves before. They will learn the step-by-step process of how to start and operate a business, how to market it, and how to build a business through customer referrals. I’ve cut out the fluff and just provided what you need to quickly understand so you can take action. Many of the tips I share to grow your business cost you nothing to apply. Finally, you’ll learn that I’m in your corner with the free coaching I offer.
Conclusion: How to make money picking trash
My business is not for everyone. It’s not glamorous or sexy. But it is very rewarding for those who enjoy providing a simple environmental service to their community. One thing is for sure: people are garbage. They always have and always will. I can attest to that with my 40+ years of experience. Fortunes have been (and can be) made by those willing to clean up after others.
If you are ready to make money picking up trash and general trash, check out Brian’s book, CleanlotsTo start making money fast.
No Comments
Leave a comment Cancel