17-year-old Ruben Bouwmans from Oss is one of the youngest garbage collectors in Brabant. For many it is not a dream job, but Ruben thinks differently. During the Week of the Waste Heroes, the work of garbage collectors like Ruben is extra emphasized and that turns out to be much needed. “I am a born garbage collector,” he says proudly. “But I’m also often made fun of for it.”
In the city center of Den Bosch, Ruben runs from one side of the street to the other to collect cardboard and garbage bags. After he throws them into the back of the garbage truck, he jumps on the back. “Lifting heavy boxes, running and working outside. I really enjoy that,” he says with a smile on his face.
At his age, Ruben is one of the youngest garbage collectors in Brabant. And that is special. “You can only do this work from the age of 18, because it can be heavy and dangerous,” he explains while the cardboard is being crushed in the truck.
“When I turned 17, I was given the opportunity to spend a day with the garbage collectors as a gift. I said I was disappointed that I had to wait a year. But they had confidence in me and offered me a job as a garbage collector.” After graduating from high school, he started working at a waste company in Rosmalen.
“I have a fascination with garbage and cars.”
Ruben quickly mastered the work, because he already has years of ‘experience’. “The garbage truck used to come to our street once a week to empty the underground containers. As a little boy I would sit in front of the window to watch how the men did that,” he says. “I thought that was so impressive to see. I always thought: I want to do that later.”
Being a garbage collector is a dream come true for the 17-year-old boy. “I have a fascination with garbage and cars. When I was little, I often walked around with bags of trash to keep the streets clean. The fact that I can now do this work every day is very special to me. ”
“People often find the work dirty and stupid.”
Ruben enjoys his work every day and stands at the back of the truck with a big smile. But this week is extra special for him and his colleagues. It is the national Waste Heroes Week. Garbage men and women receive extra attention for the hard work they do. “It feels like it’s my birthday all week.”
He is happy with the extra attention they receive, because he believes it is desperately needed. “I often hear that people find the work of a garbage collector dirty and stupid. I have often been laughed at because I do this work,” he says.
Ruben hopes that passers-by will appreciate him and his colleagues more. “I really don’t care what they think of me, because I like to be unique. But I hope that people realize more often that they need us to keep the streets in Brabant clean.”
