A bin man known as the 'No 1 bin man' on TikTok has highlighted a frequent mistake households make when numbering their wheelie bins, which can lead to bins being returned to the wrong address. The self-proclaimed 'binfluencer', Ashley, urged residents to place their house number on the lid of the bin rather than the side.
In a video response to a viewer who complained that bin men never return bins to the correct house, Ashley demonstrated the simple fix. He advised putting the house number on the lid so it is visible from any angle, ensuring bins can be easily matched to the correct property. For food bins, he recommended numbering both the lid and the side, as they often fall over.
Ashley said: 'But your wheelie bin, put it on the lid. Don't put it on the side, put it on the lid so no matter where you're standing, you can always see the number. And then they go back outside your house, problem solved.' He added that using a sticker with the house number and road name is the most effective method.
While some viewers argued numbering was unnecessary or suggested using a white marker pen, many agreed with Ashley that stickers look neater than painted numbers. Others noted that not all properties have numbers, with some having names instead, which can complicate labelling.
For peace of mind and to assist binmen, Ashley's advice is to mark bins clearly on the lid with the house number, helping ensure they are returned to the right home every time.
