165: How to Start a Litter Cleanup Service
Here's how to start a litter cleanup service and discover how this early morning routine can bring in $2–3K a month in just a few hours. Brian Winch has scaled his to full-time, with revenues over $600K a year.
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You’re about to hear how to start a litter cleanup service, which is a low-cost, flexible business where you can literally get paid to go for a walk through parking lots and outside of commercial properties.
Brian Winch (author of Clean Lots) returns to share the exact steps: which properties to target first, how to reach the decision maker at property management companies (and who not to pitch), what to say, how to handle the most common objection, and the simple free reporting add-on that helps you stand out.
We also talk startup costs (basic hand tools + insurance), pricing and routes, why early morning is the sweet spot, and free publicity moves that have landed Brian media coverage. For context, Brian has grown this business to gross over $600,000 a year, and for beginners he explains how 2–3 hours a day can translate into $2K–$3K/month in extra income.
If you want a simple, service-based side hustle with early-morning hours and room to scale, this episode gives you a practical blueprint.
You’ll learn:
- Best starter properties to pitch
- How to connect with the right decision maker
- What to say on first contact (and what to avoid)
- A low-effort value add that wins clients (free reporting)
- How to start smart so you don’t get discouraged
- Free publicity tactics to grow faster
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Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.
Want to hear more from Brian and his journey to over $600,000 revenue per year in this business? Check our episode 21 - This Business Is Cleaning Up!
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How to Start a Litter Cleanup Service
If you’re looking for a practical, low-cost side hustle that fits into your life, a litter cleanup service is worth exploring. Brian Winch describes how a couple of hours in the early morning can bring in meaningful extra income, and even scale into something much bigger.
“I find the work to be very rewarding and… I enjoy going for those early morning walks, and getting paid for it.”
The Early-Morning Advantage
Cleanup work happens before businesses open and before traffic builds. Brian emphasizes how the quiet, pre-dawn hours are peaceful, focused, and productive. Once the route is complete, the day is free.
“I enjoy working alone in the peaceful hours of the early morning… then, once I’m finished work, I have the rest of the day to do as I please.”
What the Work Feels Like
This is simple, solo work: get out early, follow your route, finish strong, and move on with your day. No meetings, no coordination, no distractions - just a clear start and finish.
Income Potential
“If you do two or three hours a day, you could definitely do two to three thousand dollars a month extra income.”
That range - $2,000–$3,000 per month - he says, is achievable in just a couple of hours a day. In our episode 21 with Brian, we discover he's scaled it, big time!
“…that’s grossed over six hundred thousand dollars a year.”
What started as a side hustle for Brian, grew to full-scale business revenue.
Who This Fits
- People who value quiet, independent work.
- Those who want structure and routine with a clear finish line.
- Anyone looking for extra income without giving up their days.
Key Insights from the Episode
- The early morning schedule can be both peaceful and practical.
- Solo work keeps it simple and efficient.
- Income can range from $2–3K per month to a scaled model grossing $600K a year.
- The lifestyle payoff is finishing early and having freedom the rest of the day.
Practical Takeaways
- Test the early window: try a few mornings of focused work and notice the rhythm.
- Think in routes: efficiency comes from covering the same loop consistently.
- Protect the finish line: keep this as a defined block of work that doesn’t spill over.
For anyone curious about a side hustle that’s practical, repeatable, and grounded in real-world experience, a litter cleanup service offers a path worth considering.
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