Ever since she can remember, little Beca Jones has wanted nothing more than to work the bins. She has the gear, she’s made the contacts and she’s even had a little bit of work experience.
Her fascination with the art of bin collections began at the age of three when she first spotted a refuse lorry from the window of her house in Newborough, Anglesey. Now aged six, she’s best mates with her local waste collectors.
Mum Ann Pritchard can’t quite explain her daughter’s interest but she’s more than happy to indulge it. And the local bin crew is delighted to have a mega fan – even if Beca’s workwear is a little too large.
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For her birthday, on Thursday, June 22, the three-man team had a whip-round. Each gave her £10, plus a card.
“It was the same on her fifth birthday – they all gave her money,” said Ann. “And at Easter, Beca got another £10 and two Easter eggs. They also give her presents at Christmas.
“People are quick to criticise and complain about bin men but they don’t see the other side. They’ve been brilliant with Beca. They even make a point of coming here first on their round so she can see them before school.”
On bin collection days, Beca watches from the window, then runs out to chat and high-five her heroes. Her ambition of becoming a refuse collector took a big step forward when, two years ago, big brother Callum, 25, landed a job with waste firm Biffa, which has run Anglesey Council’s bin collections since 2007.
It’s enabled her to sit in a recycling wagon and dream of driving it one day – especially as the driver was a woman. “But it wouldn’t be a recycling lorry,” said Anne. “It has to be a black bin lorry – the black bin crew are her mates.”
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Much of Newborough is aware of the little girl with a passion for black bins. When news reached Sarah Gray, who runs a local chippie, she wanted to do more to encourage her interest.
Ann said: “She contacted Biffa and asked if they would donate their smallest work top for Beca. They did – and they also sent a Biffa hat and one of the drinks flasks they give to staff.
“The uniform is still a bit big for her but she adores it and our bin men. She keeps telling them that, when she grows up, she’s going to be driving their truck.”
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