'I've loved keeping the streets clean for 20 years'

For Craig Denny, working as a council street cleaner is all about ensuring his town looks as good as it can for residents and visitors.

Denny, 47, has been part of Ipswich Borough Council's waste management team for the past 20 years – and he absolutely loves it.

Over the two decades, he has worked on dustcart rounds and trade waste lorries before moving into the street cleaning team, which where he is now.

He said he had seen changes during that time in the way people perceive those who work in waste management, as well as changes with people's habits when it comes to rubbish.

Denny was previously a lorry driver, which involved long days and nights, and he applied for a council job in a bid to get a better work-life balance.

He has never looked back, he said.

His current role involves driving road sweepers, emptying bins and litter cleaning on Ipswich Town matchdays at Portman Road.

"We want the roads to look nice and clean and for people to think, 'Oh, this is a nice town'," he said.

"With the football, we have away fans coming from different counties. We want them to see our town looking clean and tidy."

Denny said he found his job rewarding.

"When I first started years ago you were just seen as a dustman or a binman, but now with the council there's more progression, with the different departments and the training we have [and] with all the health and safety and manual handling," he said.

"It's a far better industry to work in now."

Ultimately, the public is at the heart of his work.

"I'm a very happy, friendly person, and if I can help somebody with a problem... let me try to help you or point you in the right direction.

"We are seen as people who can be approached and not just a council worker who doesn't want to know."

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