London’s waste management workers are having a moment, and honestly, it’s about time. A Reddit thread that’s been gaining traction shows just how much locals appreciate the people who keep our city clean, rain or shine.
The post, which has racked up over 300 upvotes, features a photo of a waste management worker continuing their route despite what looks like a proper downpour. The original poster didn’t hold back with their appreciation: “You guys rock! No matter the weather you’re doing your hard job! Huge love ❤️!”
What’s really hitting people in the feels is seeing these workers push through regardless of conditions. One commenter noted how tough it must have been dealing with yard waste during heavy rain, especially with those paper bags getting completely soaked. Another worker even chimed in saying it “wasn’t too bad actually,” which just goes to show the kind of resilience these folks bring to the job every single day.
The thread is full of residents calling the waste management crew “the real MVPs” and “unsung heroes.” Someone mentioned walking past some particularly rancid compost bins and realizing they definitely wouldn’t want to tackle that job themselves. Fair enough.
There’s also some love for the women working on the trucks. One commenter mentioned seeing a woman team on their route in Old South, and how their daughter gets excited seeing them work. Another person from Sarnia mentioned a particularly strong woman worker who could probably “toss most of us around” – which honestly sounds like the kind of energy we need more of.
The conversation also touched on what it takes to get into the field. Apparently, you need a DZ licence and your high school diploma to apply for temporary sanitation operator positions with the city. The positions typically get posted around December, though they’ve been appearing more frequently as demand increases.
One particularly insightful comment came from someone who seems to know the industry well, pointing out that these workers don’t get coffee breaks and go non-stop until their route is completed. Some days that means working until 5 PM, and even then, they don’t stop.
Of course, there had to be that one person questioning why anyone deserves praise for “just showing up and doing their job,” but they got thoroughly shut down by other users who clearly understand the value of hard work and appreciation.
The thread shows London residents genuinely recognizing the people who handle one of the city’s most essential services, from regular garbage collection to dealing with those green bins that can get pretty gross in the summer heat.