Miners of the City

A familiar face in the neighborhoods of Kerkrade. Dennis (27) has been driving through the city’s neighborhoods every day for nearly seven years. At the Municipality of Kerkrade, he works in the Clean, Safe, and Secure cluster of the Urban Management Department. He empties trash cans, picks up litter, and responds to reports of illegal dumping. But according to Dennis, his job involves much more than just collecting trash. “You really get to know the neighborhoods and the residents,” he says. “You see a lot and basically become the eyes and ears of the neighborhood.” 

Working in Your Own City 

Dennis laughingly calls himself “the trash can man.” He handles everything related to trash and litter—from emptying trash cans to cleaning up illegal dumping sites. “I start early,” he says. “First, coffee; then a long walk with my dog; and after that, off to work. From 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., I’m out and about in the neighborhoods.” 

“I see all of Kerkrade waking up,” he says. “When I start work, the city is still quiet, and everything slowly gets going.” 

It’s working outdoors and connecting with residents that make Dennis’s job special. He grew up in Kerkrade and feels a strong connection to the city. “I love this place. This is my home,” he says proudly. “I work in and for my own city. You go everywhere, see all kinds of things, and get to know the neighborhoods up close.” 

Dennis has become a familiar face to many residents. Some residents say hello to him when he’s working in the neighborhood or stop to chat. “You get to interact with a lot of people, and that’s what makes the job so enjoyable,” he says. The team he works with also means a lot to him. “We have a really great team and are always there for each other. That makes the job even better.” 

His positive attitude helps with that. Dennis is known for his enthusiasm and cheerfulness. He himself puts it simply: “My smile doesn’t steal from anyone.” 

From a work-study program to a permanent job 

His path to a job with the municipality began at the Flexiforum Development Center. This municipal agency helps unemployed residents find paid work through guidance, coaching, and hands-on experience. Dennis was given the opportunity to participate in a work-study program at Stedelijk Beheer and immediately felt at home there. “I thought right away: this is a good fit for me.” Within a year, he was offered a permanent contract with the city. 

He’s still proud of that. “I feel appreciated and am given a lot of responsibility. People sometimes say you won’t get anywhere without a degree, but I’ve really found my place here.” 

Shared Responsibility 

According to Dennis, residents don’t always realize how important his team’s work is. “You can really see the difference between a clean neighborhood and one where there’s clearly trash lying around. When I come back later and it’s still tidy, that gives me a sense of satisfaction.” He thinks people only truly notice how much of a difference the work makes when it isn’t being done. “Take Carnival, for example. People take it for granted that everything will be clean again the next day, but there’s a lot of work behind that.” 

He sees a lot of furniture, clothing, and other bulky waste being dumped, especially around spring cleaning and the holidays. Still, Dennis also sees how many residents are committed to keeping the city clean. That’s why he’s happy to help out during Kirchroa ruumpt óp clean-up events, where volunteers work together to pick up litter. “I love seeing that. During the last event, we collected nearly 250 bags of litter together. Ultimately, it’s by working together that we keep the city clean—it’s truly a shared responsibility.”