Every household depends on refuse collectors to keep daily life running smoothly. Without regular waste collection, neighborhoods would quickly fill with garbage bags, recyclables, and discarded packaging.
For many residents who lack vehicles, there would be no easy way to transport waste to local disposal sites. The role of sanitation workers keeps streets clean and communities functioning.
Still, the nature of the job often places refuse trucks directly in the path of everyday traffic. During collections, trucks must pause along residential streets while workers empty bins. These brief stops may block the roadway for a moment. Drivers in a hurry sometimes grow impatient while waiting behind the vehicle.
A Lighthearted Moment Shared Online
@theno1.binman Be happy it's nearly the weekend #bintok #binfluencer #bindustry #binday #Binformation ♬ Turn Around (Hey What's Wrong With You) - Phats & Small
One refuse collector decided to handle that frustration with humor. A sanitation worker named Ashley, who posts online under the username The No1 Binman, recently shared a video that caught attention on social media platform TikTok.
The video shows Ashley sitting inside the cab of his garbage truck while cheerfully singing along to the 1999 dance hit “Turn Around” by Phats and Small. The upbeat moment added a playful twist to a situation drivers often find frustrating.
As the song played, Ashley enthusiastically sang the lyrics:
“Hey, what's wrong with you? You're looking kinda down to me.”
The clip also included an on-screen caption that read:
“When the person behind the bin lorry is starting to get upset.”
Rather than responding with irritation, the worker chose humor and music to lighten the moment.
Ashley added a small piece of encouragement directed at drivers waiting behind the truck. The video reminded viewers that the weekend was approaching, noting that it was “nearly the weekend” at the time of filming.
That detail resonated with many viewers because refuse collectors generally do not operate on weekends. Drivers delayed briefly during weekday collections can take comfort knowing the wait will not be a daily occurrence.
Social Media Viewers Show Support
The response from viewers was overwhelmingly positive. Many commenters said the clip lifted their mood, while others thanked sanitation workers for keeping neighborhoods clean.
Several viewers shared supportive remarks:
“Brilliant!”
“You're as happy as my bin men, love it.”
“That's cheered me up, thanks.”
The reaction highlighted the appreciation many people feel toward waste collectors, even though their work sometimes slows traffic for a few minutes.
Instagram | theno1.binman | Beyond humor, Ashley’s social media provides practical waste disposal and recycling guidance.
Ashley’s social media content goes beyond humor. The account regularly shares practical guidance about waste disposal and recycling.
Ahead of the Easter holiday, one video explained how to sort packaging from chocolate eggs. The cardboard box that holds the egg usually belongs in the recycling bin. The foil wrapper, however, often needs to go into the general waste.
Some councils do accept foil in plastic recycling collections, but only if it is completely clean and free from chocolate residue. Since policies vary by area, residents are encouraged to check their local authority guidelines before throwing foil into the recycling container.
Why Waste Collectors Skip Bins
Waste collection teams also follow specific rules set by local councils. When these guidelines are not followed, bins may remain uncollected.
Common reasons include contaminated recycling materials or rubbish that exceeds weight limits. Bins can also be rejected if residents leave additional bags beside the container, often referred to as “side waste.”
Food waste and soft plastics placed inside recycling bins can also cause issues. When a problem occurs, collectors often leave a sticker on the bin explaining the reason for refusal.
Refuse collectors perform a task that affects every household, even if their work sometimes slows traffic for a short time. Ashley’s viral video demonstrates how a simple moment of humor can shift the mood during a routine workday.
The cheerful sing-along to “Turn Around” turned a potential roadside frustration into a lighthearted reminder of the people working behind the scenes to keep communities clean.