There wouldn't be any misunderstanding. Most of us are aware of the terms used in other parts of the English-speaking world and would usually work out the meaning from the context. For example, if you said 'trashman' in a British context, we would understand what you meant: just as we'd understand American words like 'elevator' or 'diaper'. Even when we don't use particular words ourselves, we are generally aware of the meaning. American and British English are not different languages: most of the supposed differences are just preferences.

I have never come across a woman doing this job. But if I did, I'd probably refer to her with a gender-neutral term e.g. refuse collector. This is a more neutral term in all respects, and what someone might use when filling in an official form or advertising a job. Words like 'binman' are more informal.

I would say garbage man or trash man. As an American, I would be confused if someone said dust man or bin man, but I would figure it out.

If it’s a woman, I <em>might</em> say garbage lady or trash lady, but I would be careful saying these worlds, because they kind of sound like a derogatory term for an unsavory female character.

Hi! I live in the U.S., and I usually use "sanitation worker," though I grew up using "garbageman." I don't think there would be confusion if one were to use one of the British equivalents, but "dustman" sounds like superhero name to me 😅

But yes, I use sanitation worker, partly for the gender neutrality, but I suppose garbagewoman could work? Typically I try to stick to the gender neutral terms for professions, such as sanitation worker, mail carrier, and firefighter (as opposed to garbageman, mailman, and fireman).

Hope that helps!

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The garbage man can

I think a lot of Americans would not know the meaning of binman or dust man.

"Garbageman" is what I would have said in my youth. Now, that sounds slightly derogatory to me, and I would probably use "garbage collector". Though where I live, that wouldn't sound too accurate either.

My company calls itself a "Recycling and non-hazardous solid waste disposal company"

The employees who perform residential pickup are called simply "drivers" and "helpers". With the current Covid-19 restrictions, only the "drivers" (who never leave their trucks) are working.