A binman has explained why an overflowing wheelie bin could be left behind on collection day
Are your bins overfilled?(Image: Craig Hastings)
Getting your rubbish out on time does not always mean your bin will be emptied. A popular binman has explained that something as simple as the position of the lid can determine whether crews are able to collect it.
The No1 Binman, who has more than 200,000 followers and nearly four million likes on TikTok, shares tips regularly from his work collecting waste. In one video, he was asked whether crews should empty a bin when its lid is slightly raised because it has been filled too much.
His answer was that there is no single rule for every household, as it depends on the instructions given to bin crews by their local authority. But he said the council in his own area requires the lid to be closed, meaning he would not want to risk having an overflowing bin rejected.
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The binman said keeping the lid shut makes sense for several reasons, particularly when bins are being lifted and emptied. If the lid is raised, rubbish can fall out while the bin is being moved, potentially leaving broken glass and other waste scattered outside a property.
He also warned that an overfilled bin could damage the lid during the mechanical emptying process. For households that have paid for their own wheelie bin, having the lid ripped off could create an additional problem if the container needs replacing.
The key point, however, is that residents should not assume every council operates in exactly the same way. The binman repeatedly stressed that collection crews follow the procedures given to them by their local authority.
A full wheelie bin with rubbish bags overflowing onto the pavement(Image: George Clerk)
Liverpool households have a particularly clear instruction from the council. Its bin collection guidance tells residents to make sure all rubbish or recycling is placed inside the bin and that the lid is closed before it is presented for collection.
The council also says bins will not be collected if they are too heavy or contain incorrect materials. If a bin has a sticker because it contains the wrong items, residents must remove the offending material and present it again on their next scheduled collection.
That means Merseyside residents with a lid that will not shut should not rely on the binman’s experience from another council area. The safest option is to reduce the amount of waste until the lid closes properly and check Liverpool City Council’s latest collection guidance.
The advice also has a practical benefit beyond whether the bin is emptied. Keeping the contents contained while the bin is moved can reduce the chance of rubbish, plastic or broken glass ending up on the pavement or road.