Man explains how he made $66,000 in one year just selling trash

They say one man's trash is another man's treasure, and this guy's endeavors proves just that.

In the internet era, there's dozens of ways you can make money. From affiliate marketing and social media influencing, to being paid to take online surveys and selling your clothes on Vinted - the world is your oyster.

One person who decided to embrace this is Leonardo Urbano, 30, from Australia and in 2023 alone he raked in a whopping $100,000 AUD (around $66,000 USD).

How did he do it, I hear you ask? Collecting trash.

Leonardo Urbano has made thousands of dollars from other people's unwanted items. (Leonardo Urbano)

When we say 'trash', we don't mean empty M&M packets and abandoned water bottles, we mean things like furniture and clothing.

Over the course of last year, Leonardo would spend his days rummaging through trash piles in Sydney in the hopes of finding hidden gems.

Some of the goods he got his hands on included fridges, Fendi handbags and jewelry - to name a few.

Leonardo would then sell these items online on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace.

In Australia, local councils offer free trash pickups in what they call a 'council cleanup'.

Leonardo would sell the items online. (Tfilm/Getty Stock)

"A council cleanup is a free rubbish pick up service offered by local councils in Australia," explains the Sydney City Rubbish site. "The local waste management team will come and collect certain items from your home for free.

"Usually, this is offered twice a year for residents. However, some council municipalities may have different frequencies, like once a quarter."

But until these cleanups are arranged, many people will abandoned their items on the roadside, perfect for people like Leonardo on the hunt for hidden treasures.

Apparently there would be 'mountains' of things for him to sift through.

Leonardo would find huge piles of trash in the streets. (Leonardo Urbano)

"You could see mountains of stuff — like literally, mountains. And that's when I find most of the stuff," Leonardo said, as per NBC Los Angeles. "That's where the big items will be, like fridges and wardrobes and couches."

Some of his more expensive finds has surprised his friends.

"My friends are shocked at how much good clothing, like perfect clothing, ends up in the trash," Leonardo shared.

Some of the items he discovered last year include over 50 TVs, over 20 washing machines, 50 computers/laptops and 30 fridges.

One of his most notable finds was a painting by two-time Archibald Prize finalist Dapeng Liu thought to be worth $3,000.

Leonardo also dug out a $400 Italian coffee machine. Impressive!