I am pleased to discuss tipping sanitation workers, also known as trash collectors. People rarely recognize the efforts and hard work these individuals put into keeping the environment clean and your home free from dirt. The job of a sanitation worker is not just strenuous but also risky.
These trash collectors are exposed to both mechanical and health hazards. Most go home with body aches, swollen hands, throbbing feet, and joint pain. No amount of tip can compensate them for their strenuous day-to-day activities. However, I recommend you appreciate their efforts in whichever way you can afford it.
Why Should I Tip a Garbage Man
The job of a trash collector helps to avert environmental and health hazards that could occur if there is a buildup of dirt in the environment. Few people value the garbage collector job because it is, of course, a dirty job. It would be nice to recognize their outstanding efforts towards helping you dispose of your refuse by encouraging them with a splendid tip.
Their job requires individuals who are fit because of its physically tasking nature. You would find them hauling multiple trash bags or cans into a huge truck which could be potentially dangerous to them. Their job is recognized as the fifth most hazardous job in the world. There have been reports of trash collectors getting injuries from broken glass and other dangerous objects.
You would also find them running around to handpick dirt that could not get into the threshing van. Some trash collectors go for surgical procedures like knee replacement surgery or other techniques to correct orthopedic diseases.
These hard workers cannot depend solely on their income to survive. Because of the constant exposure to dirt, they have to spend a lot to take care of their health in the form of insurance. They inhale disgusting smells so having a strong stomach is reasonably necessary.
An excellent way to help them cope with the rising costs of goods and services is by gifting them worthwhile gratuities. If their company’s policy favors tipping, cash would be much appreciated.
Should I Tip a Garbage Man?
There is nowhere around the world where tipping is made compulsory. You can tip or not; you can also give gratuities based on your discretion, how impressive you find their services, and your budget.
I emphasize again that tipping is optional, but tipping a sanitation worker would be an extremely nice gesture that would never be forgotten. The 15%-20% rule of thumb applies to tipping trash collectors.
Trashman Salary
Trash collectors earn an average of $17.79 per hour. This rate depends on location, company, skills, and years of experience.
Factors to Determine How Well I Should Tip
1. Character
There are garbage collectors who can be extremely pleasant and polite when you have brief contact with them while they dispose of your trash. Observe those who exchange pleasantries with a massive smile and never react negatively to ride comments. For these people, it is advisable to give a higher tip.
2. Weather Condition
Garbage collectors are always active regardless of weather conditions, and you would find them diligently lifting heavy trash cans while drenched in sweat during hot weather. Irrespective of how discouraging the weather might present, these individuals still try as much as possible to deliver.
3. Amount of Garbage
If you are celebrating in your home, the garbage you and your guest would generate would be more significant than usual. Since you have given your sanitation worker extra work of hauling dirt, it would be nice if you give an extra tip.
What Should I Give The Garbage Man For Christmas?
Christmas includes activities ranging from get-togethers, family gatherings, house parties, and many others. There is a higher tendency to produce more waste than usual. On such a particular day, the garbage collector will sacrifice celebrating with family and friends to be at your service.
For Christmas, you can gift them boxes of chocolates or cookies with a bottle of wine. You could also receive a cute note of appreciation with about $20-$50 as a Christmas gratuity. Other things to give are gift cards and household items like kitchen appliances.
How Should I Tip Garbage Man?
It is often challenging to meet with a garbage man one-on-one because of how demanding their job is. Sometimes, you might be away from home to give them your tip directly. However, there are other ways to give your gift of gratitude even when you aren’t there with them physically.
Before deciding on how to tip them, ensure their company’s policy favors tipping. If the company is against its workers receiving tips, you can apply a more strategic means by finding out where they live and sending an anonymous gift to them. You can stick to verbal accolades if you are not comfortable with that.
Another sweet thing is to have the whole family write cute notes of appreciation and tape them onto your trash can. I can tell that your garbage collector would be emotional after seeing something like that.
When is The Best Time to Tip Garbage Man?
Anytime is the best time to show appreciation. As long as you are not being coerced to give gratuities, you can tip anytime you wish based on your convenience and budget. If you feel the best time to express your thanks during the holidays, do not hesitate to go for it, and tip excellently.
Waste Management Tipping Policy
Tipping Policies for garbage collectors vary from one company or organization to another. Some have no qualms with residents supporting their workers with monetary gifts, while some forbid their workers from “soliciting favors” or accepting gratuities.
Getting information about tipping your trash collector is essential to avoid embarrassment. For companies whose trash collectors accept tips, you can tip 15%-20% of your bill.
How to Address a Card to a Garbage Man
The job of a sanitation worker is not condescending. Their career has dignity, so you can address them in any way appropriate which suits their job description. But for gender neutrality’s sake, they can be called garbage, waste, or trash collectors. You can also address them as a sanitation crew.
Can a Woman be a Garbage Collector?
According to Zippa, just five percent of women are trash collectors among a population of 60,828 waste management crew. The remaining 95% are men.
Women can, of course, be garbage collectors, but the physically demanding nature of the job can be a huge discouragement. They also face gender inequalities. Women in the waste management industry are making waves by diligently doing their job regardless of negative comments around them. We want to have more women in the waste management industry.
Other Gift Ideas For a Garbage Collector
1. Foot Massager
Sanitation workers spend almost the whole day on their feet, with lots of running and heavy lifting. Giving them a foot massager as a gift is exceptionally thoughtful, and they would have something to relieve the aches in their foot when they get home to rest.
2. Back Massager
As stated earlier, the job of a trash collector is highly stressful. Most go back home with body pain and rely on painkillers to help them cope. You can ease their burden by purchasing a body massager if you can afford it. A handheld massager will also help them cope with the strain on their back, which comes from all the bending and stretching.
3. Warmers
During cold temperatures, it would be very thoughtful of you to gift them something to protect against the unpleasant weather condition. A hand warmer, foot warmer, or thick hoodie would be ideal.
Final Thought
Though they rarely get recognition, garbage collectors are rare gems who go above and beyond to keep the environment clean. They do not mind coping with any trash you give them, and the right thing to do is to appreciate their efforts by giving them gratuities.
