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Taking out the rubbish used to be just another mundane daily chore. Now, young entrepreneurs in China have turned it into a surprisingly profitable side hustle.
Across social media, providers advertise doorstep rubbish disposal services ranging from three to five yuan (RM1.20 to RM3) per trip.
Monthly subscriptions are also available for around 100 yuan (about RM61), covering daily pickups directly from the client's door.
This novel service is part of the country's booming "lazy economy", which prioritises convenience and time-saving solutions
According to South China Morning Post, it follows other viral doorstep offerings such as parcel collection and picking up children from school.
While some Internet users questioned whether anyone would actually pay for such a basic task, many clients consider the service a lifesaver.
One client coping with depression shared that avoiding public encounters made the service essential
Strict local waste-sorting rules in cities like Shanghai — where residential complexes restrict rubbish collection to specific two-hour windows — also make it difficult for busy office workers to dispose of garbage on time.
The service also offers vital support to homebodies and elderly residents with mobility issues living in walk-up flats.
Providers note that affordability remains the main key to rapid adoption, as overworked professionals willingly pay small fees to buy back their time.
