A waste collector has gone viral for urging people to tip the people who take their garbage.
Rocci Berrini (@nattydad1), 43, from Minnesota, shared his advice that tipping your waste collector annually could lead to them going above and beyond in their duties. His video garnered 5,203 likes and 105,100 views on TikTok.
“Typically, you’d want to tip 20 bucks-plus (…) since the garbage men pick up 800 stops a day. I’d be happy with anything,” Berrini told Newsweek.
Berrini has worked in the waste industry for 15 years and claims that a person’s trash can reveal a lot about them. He also noted that a $50 tip could potentially ensure special treatment for an entire year.
Rocci Berrini. The garbage collector’s take on tipping garbage collectors sparked a viral reaction.
Rocci Berrini. The garbage collector’s take on tipping garbage collectors sparked a viral reaction.
@nattydad1/@nattydad1
As for tipping, it can vary widely depending on location and the type of service provided.
According to WPDH, a local radio station based in Poughkeepsie, New York, in areas where workers don’t leave their trucks, tipping might seem unnecessary, but even small gestures like gift cards or snacks can go a long way in showing appreciation for the hard work of waste collectors.
Social media users had mixed reactions to Berrini’s comments, with many supporting his opinion.
“I drove for waste management for three years and I used to make bank for Christmas.
“One guy I worked with bought some cheap little Christmas cards and gave them to all his customers and that year he got $900 cash and about $700 in gift cards,” shared one user.
Another commenter shared their experience: “I’ve never had an issue. Put out an entire sectional sofa with hide-away bed. Gone like a fart in the wind.”
Some people were surprised by the idea. “I didn’t know this was a thing. Our guys don’t get out of the truck, the truck lifts the container and puts it back,” said Penelope.
Others, like Ryan Brazzer, swore by the practice. “Facts. Been giving my boy 20 bucks and a couple Powerades for years and literally he picks anything up. Twenty bucks might not be a lot but it goes a VERY long way with someone that doesn’t think you care.”
“Where do we leave the tip though? Like tape it on the lid or something?,” asked one user.
Berrini informed them they can leave the tip by taping it to the garbage can.
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Should You Tip Garbage Collectors? Viral Video Sparks Debate
