Garbo Grabber Ushers New Era of Trash Cleanup With Revolutionary Tools

In a world where waste management and trash cleanups are still inefficient, a family of innovators is designing revolutionary tools to help with effective cleanups. Garbo Grabber is a family-run business, inspired by a father’s inventive spirit and thoughtful creativity.

In this interview with Ashley Lionetti, owner of Garbo Grabber, we will talk about how the seed for the company was sown, the inspiration behind it and what is next. Read on to know more.

Planet Custodian (PC): How did Garbo Grabber come to be, and what was driving inspiration behind the initiative?

Ashley Lionetti (AL): The story of Garbo Grabber began in 1993, when my father was driving along a highway in Connecticut. He noticed a worker struggling to keep trash in a bag—a problem that stuck with him. Determined to find a solution, he went home and, in an era before the internet, did all the research he could. After speaking with a patent attorney, he began sketching designs and creating prototypes. He knew timing was crucial to bringing this innovative product to market.

Fast forward to 2010, when the first episode of Undercover Boss featuring Larry O’Donnell, CEO of Waste Management, aired. Larry, disguised as a landfill worker, was assigned the task of picking up litter. Ironically, he faced the same challenge my father had seen years earlier—keeping trash in the bag. Larry struggled, and by the next day, we knew it was time to launch Garbo Grabber.

We started with our flagship product, The Trash Bagger, and from there, slowly expanded into a full line of industry-leading litter collection tools. Today, Garbo Grabber is proud to offer the #1 litter pickup tools on the market.

Image: Garbo Grabber

PC: Is it safe to assume that your father has had a great influence in shaping your career?

AL: Our father is 100 percent the driving force behind everything from the start! His unwavering support and encouragement pushed us to reach our full potential. Even today, he continues to consult with us and remains deeply involved in our success.

PC: Did you face any obstacles when starting Garbo Grabber?

AL: After our first tradeshow in 2011, we were knocked off by competitors, but we didn’t let that stop us. We faced failure after failure, learned countless lessons, dealt with manufacturing issues, setbacks, and financial struggles. Then one day, we received an inspiring email from an organization walking across the country, from Maryland to California, picking up garbage every mile. They shared how they had prayed for a better way to collect trash, and that’s when they discovered us.

Moved by their story, we flew to Manhattan, Kansas, and spent two days walking with them, testing our tools, and learning how to improve. That experience not only strengthened our tools but also built a lasting relationship that has shaped Garbo Grabber. Without that moment, I’m not sure we’d be where we are today.

Since then, we’ve faced more challenges, but we’ve overcome them and continued to push forward. Now, we proudly support a network of around 1,000 across the U.S. and love every minute of what we do.

PC: Tell us about the Trash Bagger and Litter Cleanup Kit you have created for ease and efficiency of litter pickup in windy conditions.

AL: The Trash Bagger was designed to simplify the task of picking up litter. This two-piece device effortlessly holds a garbage bag open, allowing for easy collection without overcomplicating the process. With the Trash Bagger, we’ve revolutionized litter pickup, making it a breeze—even on windy days! The design keeps everything within arm’s reach, ensuring a sanitary operation.

If you’ve ever tried to pick up litter in the wind with just a garbage bag, you know the struggle! Our product eliminates that hassle, making litter collection efficient and straightforward.

We also created our Litter Cleanup Kit to provide individuals with all the essential tools needed for a successful cleanup. The kit includes one Trash Bagger, one collapsible reacher, and either replacement garbage bags or a reusable net bag.

We launched this product during the COVID-19 pandemic, when solo cleanups became the norm. This kit has helped cleanup groups operate effectively at smaller levels. Today, our kits are among our bestsellers!

Image: Garbo Grabber

PC: How do you envision to transform the waste management system at domestic and international level? 

AL: For some time now, we have been transforming the way people pick up litter. Our brand and product offerings are designed to make life easier and cleaner, addressing a pressing need in our world. As awareness of environmental litter grows, we provide everyone with a practical way to take initiative and contribute to saving our planet.

PC: How is the Community Litter Kiosk program panning out so far?

AL: Our kiosk program has seen great success and is gradually being adopted by cities and towns. Through our pilot, we demonstrated that these kiosks effectively help keep community beaches clean. Beachgoers can easily access the tools they need, allowing them to contribute to the cleanup effort and feel good about lending a helping hand.

For the past 16 years, we have co-hosted a cleanup event on the same weekend each year, consistently collecting over 1,000 pounds of litter from the beach. Since implementing our pilot program, we have removed an impressive 300 pounds of litter, and the results speak for themselves.

Image: Garbo Grabber

PC: What day-to-day sustainable practices would you suggest our readers adopt to better their waste management?

AL: First, head over to Garbo Grabber to get your cleanup kit—I promise our tools will make picking up litter much easier!

Next, check out some of our nonprofit partners to see if they’re active in your area, and consider joining one of their cleanup events.

You can also organize a cleanup in your community or simply pick up trash during your daily walks.

Support your local farmers and mom-and-pop grocery stores; every little bit helps strengthen your community.

Finally, choose to buy from companies committed to environmental sustainability, with less packaging and a smaller carbon footprint. Together, we can make a significant impact!

Image: Garbo Grabber

PC: Where do you see your company in the next decade? Are there any goals you’d want to achieve in that time frame?

AL: We aim to become the leader and authority in our field, having carefully crafted our offerings to meet the needs of workers and volunteers alike. Our goal is to elevate our impact by collaborating with every community, nonprofit, and business around the globe.

Currently, we’re engaged in exciting projects with major brands, and we aspire to be the company that empowers others to achieve their best. Together, we can drive meaningful change and create a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Image: Garbo Grabber

PC: Can you elaborate where our readers can find Garbo products?

AL: Our products are available for purchase directly on our website: www.garbograbber.com. We sell directly to consumers, eliminating middlemen to ensure our pricing, customer service, and quality remain unmatched.

PC: Do you conduct some sort of cleanup drives or partnerships with NGOs?

AL: We currently collaborate with a network of about 1,000 nonprofits across the USA. We are always open to partnering with like-minded organizations that share our mission of saving the planet. At Garbo Grabber, we make the process easy, fun, and efficient.