11-Year-Old's Bin Cleaning Empire Signals a Shift in the Youth Job Market

An 11-year-old Canadian boy's door-to-door bin cleaning service has turned into a social media sensation, highlighting the new realities of youth unemployment. Ashton Meyer, who charges $10 per service, has amassed 111,000 Instagram followers in just two months. The 2024 summer job market is the worst for teens in decades, with entry-level positions like lifeguarding and retail assistant roles disappearing. Inflation, rising living costs, and AI's impact on hiring are making it nearly impossible for young people to find work. Meyer, who describes the situation as the 'worst job market since 1948,' isn't just cleaning bins—he's also sharing job-seeking strategies on social media. 'Don't be discouraged by the first no, lower your prices, and expect rejections,' he advises. Despite earning only $700 so far, his growing Instagram following and customer base suggest he's onto something. 'I'll keep doing bin cleaning as long as there are opportunities,' he says. This phenomenon could be a sign of the job market's evolving landscape.