Ashton Meyer bin cleaning business grows as teen jobs tighten

Ashton Meyer bin cleaning videos have turned an 11-year-old’s summer money idea into a small neighborhood business with a large online audience, according to Fortune. Meyer, who lives in East Gwillimbury, Canada, charges $10 to wash garbage, recycling and green bins at a time when Fortune says teens face the toughest summer job market since 1948.

Fortune reported that Meyer began knocking on neighbors’ doors after school let out in May. He has documented the pitches on Instagram and TikTok, where he explains that he is offering to clean household bins and asks residents if they want the service.

The business now has 40 clients, Fortune reported. Meyer’s Instagram following has grown to more than 111,000 in about two months, and he told Fortune he wants to own a business.

Who is Ashton Meyer and what is his bin cleaning business?

Meyer is an 11-year-old who started a door-to-door service cleaning neighbors’ trash and recycling bins for $10, according to Fortune. His father suggested taking out and washing bins on garbage day, Meyer told Fortune, while Meyer said he added the idea of going door to door to find more customers.

Meyer also credited his mother with encouraging him to record the effort. The videos show a lot of rejection, Fortune reported, but Meyer still leaves his phone number with residents and tells them they can call if they need him.

He has earned $700, or about $500 in U.S. dollars, so far, according to Fortune. Meyer said he enjoys meeting people through the door-to-door work and finds it satisfying to clean the bins.

Why are teens having trouble finding summer jobs?

Fortune linked Meyer’s effort to a weak summer hiring season for teenagers, reporting that persistent inflation, higher living costs and employer caution tied to AI have reduced entry-level part-time opportunities. Fortune said jobs such as lifeguarding and retail assistant roles have become harder to find, while some households are also spending less on services such as babysitting.

For Meyer, age also limits the work he can do. Fortune reported that his bin-cleaning business gave him a way to earn money without waiting for a conventional summer job.

What does Meyer plan to do next?

Meyer told Fortune he plans to keep washing bins after school resumes, as long as the weather allows. He said his plan is to work after school and on Saturdays.

He also told Fortune he wants to add seasonal work, including leaf raking and snowplowing when the weather changes. Meyer has advised other kids to look for needs in their neighborhoods, charge a fair price while they are learning and keep going after hearing no.

Meyer told Fortune that people around the world have contacted him after seeing the videos. He said parents have shown the clips to their children, and some have been inspired to start businesses of their own.

This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.