It is a service many in the community likely take for granted - pop your bins out and away goes the rubbish by the time you've gotten home from work.

Someone who knows a thing or two about this job is Leeton's Bill Kennedy, a man known to put a smile on many faces during his time at the wheel of a truck.

It can often be a thankless position, but one that is crucial to the running of any community.

Those who have travelled overseas will know only too well how lucky we are in Leeton and Australia to have such a good system in place when it comes to our household waste, rubbish and recycling being collected.

Yes, it comes at a fee, but it's a service that is well worth it.

COVID-19 also proved this was one of the many important and essential roles in communities that still needed to keep going in the face of a global pandemic.

For Mr Kennedy, he has been in the role here in Leeton for close to 20 years with JR Richards & Sons, the company contracted by Leeton Shire Council for its waste collection services.

"The thing I love the most is the kids coming out to wave and say G'Day," Mr Kennedy said.

"It really makes your day and puts a smile on your face."

One youngster from Leeton recently wrote Mr Kennedy a note saying he loved having him go past and could he beep his horn when he goes past the preschool.

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Around 1200 bins are put out for collection in Leeton shire each week day.

Mr Kennedy tries to be consistent in his timing of picking up bins so people know when they can pull them back in.

He said over his time there had been plenty of changes thanks largely to the trucks themselves and the technology included.

Mr Kennedy and his fellow drivers also put in big hours to ensure collections are completed each day.

Often they work public holidays, especially around Christmas time, a busy period where homes generate plenty of rubbish and recycling. When it comes to what we could all be doing to help these drivers?

The answer is simple.

Make sure bins are put out in a location that is easy for the truck to get to - and motorists should be aware when parking that they are not stopped in front of any of these bins.

Residents have been asked to always be mindful when out with their children waving to Mr Kennedy and his colleagues as sometimes young ones can be hard to see in these big trucks.

"We want everyone to be safe," Mr Kennedy said.

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