A binman has settled the debate on what to do with rubbish when your wheelie bin is full, advising that councils often provide extra bins for recycling and that leaving rubbish beside the bin depends on local rules.
What should I do with extra recycling?
Ashley, who runs the No. 1 Binman account, was asked about excess recycling and whether it should go in the general waste bin. He said: "If your recycling bin is constantly getting full, I suggest you ring your council and say 'my recycling bin keeps getting full, what should I do with all the extra recycling?'"
The binman explained that in most cases, councils will provide an additional bin. He added: "It's cheaper for them to take recycling away than it is to take general waste away. If you are putting less in your general waste bin and actually using it properly by putting the right stuff in the right bins, they will give you another bin."
It falls to your local council to establish rules on multiple bins. Should another bin not be offered, Ashley suggested taking extra waste to a recycling centre instead.
Can you place extra rubbish beside the bin?
The refuse collector previously revealed that local councils determine their own rules on collecting waste left outside wheelie bins. Ashley explained: "It depends on your council, every council will say something different. Some will allow it, some won't."
The binman noted that the council he works for does not permit the collection of excess rubbish. He said: "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 advised that if your council prohibits the collection of excess waste, the best course of action is to wait until the bin has been emptied before filling it with the remaining rubbish. He added: "Some councils allow it, maybe paper. But it is how you get it into the lorry, you can't just lean in and add it in."
The refuse collector urged: "Check your council, if they allow it, then you can and follow the guidelines they tell you."
