The refuse collector, known as The No1 Binman on TikTok, said he ‘didn’t understand’ why people got so confused
10:34, 02 May 2026Updated 10:38, 02 May 2026
Caddies should only contain food waste (stock image)
A binman said ‘so many people’ got confused when it came to their food waste bin – and the addition of one thing risked it not being collected.
The refuse collector, known as The No1 Binman on TikTok, said he ‘didn’t understand’ why people couldn’t follow the rules when it came to filling their caddies.
He claims garden waste was a big issue, and said he’d seen grass cuttings, flowers and even branches in the bins while on his rounds.
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“So many people are getting this confused, and I don’t understand why,” he said.
“Garden waste is not food waste. Garden trimmings, grass trimmings. They go in your compost bin, not your food waste bin.
“So many people are getting confused. They put branches and stuff in it, and then they go ‘why didn’t it get emptied?’ Because it’s not food waste. I know cows might eat it or something, but that is not what food waste is for.
“That goes for flowers also – not food waste. Do not put them in there. It goes in the garden waste.
“If you don’t have the garden waste, take it to the tip. Compost it yourself – either way, absolutely fine.
“Just don’t put it in your food caddy. Otherwise, it’ll get left, especially if it’s mixed with your food. You’re going to then have to sort it.”
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The Mirror reports there are a number of reasons waste collectors can refuse to empty a bin.
This includes an open lid, excessive weight or contaminated recycling or putting a bin out too late.
As a general rule, garden waste should not be combined with food waste.
Birmingham City Council said residents should avoid putting “any item that is not food waste” in their caddy.
This includes:
Packaging of any kind, such as food wrappersPaper platesBlack bagsLiquids, such as milkOil or fatFlowers or garden waste
The council website states: “By keeping non-food items out of your caddy, you are making sure the food waste we collect can be recycled properly.”