Hello! Today I’m sharing an excellent article from Brian Winch. Brian earns a living—his Cleanlots business generates more than $650,000 per year—by picking up litter. I’ve heard his story many times, and when he offered to write for Making Sense of Cents, I eagerly accepted. Below is his story and practical advice.
The main reason people start a side hustle is to earn extra income. Who wouldn’t want more cash flow? Beyond the financial boost, using your non-work hours productively offers several other advantages:
Creative outlet. Even if you’re successful in your career, it may not satisfy your creative side. A side hustle based on a hobby or interest gives you a way to express creativity and enjoy work that energizes you.
Freedom. With a side hustle you’re your own boss. You gain control over your time and, in Brian’s case, the freedom to work outdoors rather than be chained to a desk.
Income diversification. Losing your main job can be devastating without a backup plan. A side hustle can act as a safety net when needed. Multiple income streams also help with unexpected expenses, job changes, or relocation.
Skill building. Running a small business forces you to wear many hats. Without dedicated HR, accounting, or marketing departments, you’ll learn new, practical skills that may even benefit your primary career.
Balance. Managing a side hustle makes you more intentional about how you spend time. You learn to prioritize, say “no” to less important requests, and create a healthier balance between work and life.
Reaching financial goals. If you’re saving for retirement or other goals, extra income from a side hustle can accelerate progress and help you reach milestones faster.
There are countless ways to earn additional income. My advice is to choose a side hustle that excites you—look for that “light bulb” idea. When my light bulb went off, I committed to it and found financial freedom. You can too.
Related ideas for making extra money:
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- 7+ Ways To Make $500 By The Weekend
- 9 Work From Home and Travel Careers That Can Earn You Thousands Each Month
- What are the best early morning jobs?
- 21 Ways To Get Paid To Do Nothing
As Easy as Taking a Walk
In 1981 I reached a crossroads. I worked a full-time job at a sporting goods store that left me uninspired and unhappy. I had a high school diploma, modest savings, and bills to pay—so what could I do? Then I remembered that my father used to make extra money cleaning litter at a local shopping plaza. I had helped him a few times as a kid and recalled how simple the work seemed: walk the property, pick up trash, and get paid. That memory sparked my idea.
Motivated, I started contacting property management companies and offered to clean retail, office, and warehouse parking lots daily—work I could do before and after my shift. As I signed more properties, the business became viable. Within two months my side hustle income exceeded my job earnings. I quit the sporting goods store and launched Cleanlots.
Benefits of Owning a Parking Lot Litter Removal Business
Is this business glamorous? Probably not. But if you look past the trash, litter removal offers many advantages. Success depends on your work ethic, persistence, and attitude. In the 35+ years I’ve run Cleanlots, I’ve enjoyed these benefits:
Doesn’t interfere with a 9–5. Litter clean-up can be scheduled outside business hours—early mornings or late nights—so you can keep a full-time job while earning extra income. Personally, I enjoy the peaceful early mornings: cool temperatures, birdsong, and sometimes a grateful client offering coffee or pizza.
Routine. A steady daily routine makes the work predictable and manageable. The job isn’t boring—there are always interesting stories and occasional surprising finds. It’s also a great time to listen to music or podcasts while you work.
Low risk. I launched my side hustle with about $200. There’s little startup cost and no special certification required. You can scale the business gradually and eventually hire others. That initial investment grew into a business that now generates six-figure revenue.
No hassles. After you finish your rounds, the rest of the day is yours. No time clock, no commute stress, and no boss. Many people find independence and satisfaction in running their own business.
Recession-resistant. Litter doesn’t disappear in economic downturns. People still litter; property owners still need clean lots. If you operate in a growing area, demand for maintenance is consistent—new commercial properties require ongoing upkeep.
Green industry. There’s pride in providing a service that keeps communities cleaner and greener. Not everyone wants to do this work, which creates a valued niche for those who do.
Minimal equipment. Basic tools—brooms, dustpans, and litter grabbers—are inexpensive and often already in your home. A specialized litter scoop under $50 can dramatically improve efficiency and speed.
Exercise. Few jobs pay you to walk. When I handled all the cleanup myself, I walked several miles a day, which is great for fitness while earning money.
Bonus finds. Cleaning lots leads to surprising discoveries: clothing, phones, wallets, and cash. I always return identifiable valuables, but I’ve found crumpled bills that turned into unexpected profit—one time a $2 bill contained a $100 inside, and another time I recovered $600 from a damp roll of bills beside a dumpster.
Opportunity: Make Money by Taking a Walk
If a parking lot litter removal side hustle appeals to you, here are three practical steps to get started. Clean-up work can command $30–$50 per hour, and some people earn an extra $20,000–$40,000 annually from this side work.
First, take a drive. Assess your local market. Identify shopping centers, office parks, and warehouse complexes—each is a potential client. Many property managers prefer to outsource this “dirty job” and will pay for consistent service.
Second, make a contact list. Commercial real estate management companies are ideal targets because they manage multiple properties. A single good relationship can lead to many contracts.
Third, use available resources. I created a step-by-step operations guide to help people start and run a parking lot litter removal business. It covers setup, launch, and daily operations, and I offer phone support to answer questions and help you succeed.
People sometimes ask why I share this business model. The reality is the work is local—neither of us would undercut the other’s territory. Teaching others costs me nothing and helps build a network of like-minded entrepreneurs. Sharing my knowledge can benefit us both.
No matter which side hustle you choose, start today. Use your non-work hours to create income, skills, and balance. A side hustle can bring creativity, financial progress, personal growth, and freedom. Take the first step—you won’t regret it.
How does getting paid to pick up trash sound to you?