Viral TikTok 'clean influencer' polishes Paris's image

Now for an absolutely rubbish story from Paris - Ludovic Franceschet, 47, is a brilliant binman on a mission to clean up the French capital's image.

His message is a simple one: Throw your rubbish in the bin, recycle, protect the planet.

But his delivery of that message is special.

Whether he is popping up out of a wheelie bin or making toilet seats sing, 'Ludo' as he is known has bin bags full of humor and personality. It is no wonder he's become a viral star with hundreds of thousands of fans on Tik Tok alone. 

A one-man litter-atti, he turns trash into social media treasure, and while his message is simple, Ludo's personal journey hasn't been without challenges.

'Happiest man in the world'

Thrown out of the army because he is homosexual, Franceschet ended up on the streets, homeless, until he found a purpose. He passed the city rubbish collector exams and has since become the world's first clean influencer. 

"I'm the happiest man in the world," Ludo says with his typically joyful gait and contagious laugh.

"Honestly, the happiest in the universe! Truly, I am," he continues, "I've been on cloud nine for five years doing what I love. 

"Before, I was nothing, now I have become someone, thanks to this broom. I’m thankful every day."

His flamboyant style and charming personality have seen him become a street-sweeping sensation, and the city's cleanliness department is delighted with his celebrity status.

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"Ludovic is our best ambassador for cleanliness and waste management in Paris. He can raise awareness about cleanliness, about throwing the waste in the bin, it's the important message of Ludovic," says Matthieu Seignez, Head of Communications for the Paris Cleanliness and Water Department.

With the Olympics in town, Ludo has been a bit busier this summer but he's taking that in his stride. 

"Am I happy that the Games are in Paris? Of course, I'm happy. I couldn't be happier. This happens once every 100 years so we must seize the opportunity," he says.

He has even carried the Olympic Torch and the Olympic Lantern (Yes, that's a thing) and lit up the Opening Ceremony too - dressed to kill with his trademark hat, and using his popular phrase, "Please throw it in the bin. There is no better message."

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