A binman has disclosed what households can and cannot do with extra rubbish. A lot of families have to deal with substantial piles of recycling weekly, as it can rapidly pile up between collection days.
With most collections occurring fortnightly, there is ample opportunity for rubbish to mount up. Once a wheelie bin has reached capacity, it can be tempting to position the additional waste beside it on collection day, hoping it will be taken away. However, waste collectors sometimes leave behind any refuse that hasn’t been placed inside the bin.
The rubbish may either be excessively large or contravene council regulations to collect waste not contained within a bin. Fortunately, a binman has resolved the debate and confirmed whether it is worthwhile putting rubbish out if it doesn’t fit inside your bin.
Can you place extra rubbish beside the bin?
Ashley, who shares content on social media as the No. 1 Binman, confirmed that it entirely depends on your local council’s regulations.
Local authorities are accountable for waste collection, meaning they can establish their own guidelines.
They can determine how rubbish is collected and which bins are utilised. It is always advisable to check with your local council to discover what regulations are in force in your area.
Ashley explained: “It depends on your council, every council will say something different. Some will allow it, some won’t.”
The binman stated that the council he works for doesn’t permit excess rubbish to be collected. He explained: “Because we have to then pick it up and put it in the bin, but if your bin is too full then we can’t do that. Or if we do pick it up and it smashes, it is our fault and people complain.”
Ashley recommended that if your local authority doesn’t permit the additional collection, it’s simply better to wait until the bin has been emptied before refilling it with the rubbish.
“Some councils allow it, maybe paper,” he added. “But it is how you get it into the lorry, you can’t just lean in and add it in.”
The bin man advised: “Check your council, if they allow it then you can and follow the guidelines they tell you.”