Local garbage man recognized for good work, clean record

By Carrie A. Mizell

Once you get past the odor of aged trash, driving a massive garbage truck through the streets of Trenton isn’t a bad job.
Just ask Kevin Griffin.

The 34-year-old Old Town man said his job has many benefits, the least of which include homemade baked goods and bottled water from caring customers along his route.
“We take care of them [the customers], so they’re good to us!” Griffin said.
Recently, Griffin found out he would be the recipient of a new job perk, which came with a $10,000 check. Waste Pro recognized Griffin for three years of outstanding service to customers.
According to Ken Rees, Waste Pro division manager, Griffin has missed just three days of work during his three years and three months with the company. He has also never had an accident, a workers comp claim, a driver-related breakdown or a customer complaint.
Griffin’s outstanding work led Waste Pro, which serves thousands of customers throughout the Southeast, to award Griffin a $10,000 check in recognition for a job well done.
“I was really excited when I found out I was getting recognized,” Griffin said. “The fact that I am the first one in our five-county division to get the award makes it even more special.”
The Waste Pro driver said he gets up at 4:30 a.m. on weekdays and reports to work at Waste Pro shop in Fanning Springs by 5:30 a.m. By 6 a.m. he’s on the road, serving customers in High Springs, Bell and Trenton.
“The quicker we get the garbage up the quicker we get to go home,” Griffin explained. “It’s not a bad job. There is a lot of physical work, but it’s a good job…sometimes you just have to hold your breath!”
In the past, Griffin has worked for a fencing company and a beer distributor before joining the Waste Pro team after moving to Dixie County a little over three years ago with his father.
Griffin plans to spend some of the $10,000 he received fixing up a 1982 Ford his dad bought new and drove for many years before passing on to his son.
“I’m planning to fix up the Ford,” Griffin said. “The rest of the money will go in the bank.”