Donkeys collect the bins to help keep French village clean

François Renault and his donkeys can go where modern bin lorries cannot in the narrow village streets of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the Tarn-et-Garonne

Connexion journalist
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Donkeys play a surprisingly vital role in a medieval village in France – they help older and infirm residents to get their rubbish to communal bins.

Streets in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, in the Tarn-et-Garonne, are too narrow for modern bin lorries so François Renault of SaintAnton’ânes offered to help.

His donkeys have bins strapped to their flanks and residents hand him their bin bag as they pass. He said: “People have a problem getting rubbish to the communal bins, and the bins are heavy to open.

“I sell the 30l or 50l bags for €2, with collection, and the people are happy with the service. It helps a lot.

“It takes only 90 minutes every couple of days.

“The weight is limited to 50kg but the donkeys are used to work – they carry children in summer on hikes in the area and on village tours."

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