A local restaurant worker recently turned his trash into treasure.

According to the Georgia Lottery, Andrew Hunter won $250,000 after playing the Mega Millions with winnings from a tossed ticket.

Hunter, a 24-year-old Dawsonville resident, is a server at Taco Mac in Cumming.

In a lottery news release, Hunter explained that he didn't know he could win $3 for "matching one number plus the Mega Ball."

"I pulled [the discarded ticket] out of the trash and cashed it in for three more tickets," he said.

One of those tickets landed him $250,000 in the Nov. 15 drawing.

"I would have never bought that ticket if I hadn't pulled the other ticket out of the trash," Hunter said. "I don't think it's really hit me yet."

Hunter said he plans to invest most of his prize.

Quik Trip, 1655 Buford Highway in Cumming, sold the lucky Quik Pik ticket.

All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs, including Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia's Pre-K Program.