A social media binman has shared simple advice for households putting out their food waste bins. The No 1 Binman, who has more than 200,000 followers on TikTok, says the container should be left where collection workers can easily see it.
His first tip in the video was: "Make sure the bin men can see it," before going on to say: "Don't hide it behind a wall, make sure the big men can see it when they're walking down the road, easily visible."
Why visibility matters
The binman said making the container obvious should help avoid the worry of it being overlooked. He added that households should use their weekly collection rather than leaving food waste outside for several weeks.
He said: "It'll get collected and you ain't got to worry about it. Collect it weekly, you don't want it outside your house for two, three weeks because it smells."
Local rules vary
Exact arrangements differ between local authorities, so residents should not assume the same presentation rules apply everywhere. For example, Anglesey County Council tells households to put their mini food waste bin out by 7am on collection day, while Carmarthenshire says its food waste collections take place weekly and asks residents to put their bin out by 6am.
Food waste collections are also subject to wider changes in England. Defra says food waste must be collected separately from households on a weekly basis, although some councils have transitional arrangements.
Storage and what goes in
The guidance reflects the fact that food waste can become unpleasant if left for extended periods. Government guidance says food waste should be stored in suitable containers and managed in a way that avoids attracting pests, while Carmarthenshire tells residents to keep the lid on their food bin.
What can go into the container also depends on local arrangements. Carmarthenshire, for example, lists food scraps, cooked and raw meat and fish, bones, eggshells, tea bags and coffee grounds among the items accepted through its household food waste service.
For anyone worried about a missed collection, the No 1 Binman's advice is to start by making the bin visible. But residents should also check their own council's collection timetable and presentation instructions, as those details can vary from one area to another.
