If your wheelie bin is packed so tightly that the lid will not shut, you could be left with a full bin even after collection day. The No1 Binman has explained why crews are instructed not to empty bins in this condition, warning that an open lid can cause problems when the bin is lifted into the lorry.
The waste worker, who has more than 213,000 followers and around four million likes on TikTok, regularly answers questions about rubbish collections. In his latest video, he explained that an open lid can become caught during lifting, potentially damaging the bin or pulling it into the vehicle.
Why an open lid causes collection problems
"The bin could get damaged or sucked into the back of the bin lorry, because it gets trapped in the lid and pulls the bin in," he explained. He also warned that residents could be left wondering where their bin had gone, only to discover it had ended up inside the lorry.
An open lid can also cause rubbish to spill onto the ground when crews try to move an overfilled bin. "Everything just drops out of it, because the lid's not closed," the binman said, explaining why workers may be told not to collect bins in that condition.
Crews face difficult decisions with overfilled bins
He also described the difficult position crews can find themselves in when deciding whether to move or empty a bin. "If we move the bin, you're gonna blame us for making a mess," he said, adding: "And if we don't tip the bin, you're still gonna blame us. There are many reasons why we don't take the bins."
Liverpool City Council, for instance, tells residents to keep rubbish and recycling inside the bin and ensure the lid is closed. The council also advises that extra bags left beside the bin will not be taken, so households should avoid leaving excess rubbish on top or around their containers.
The same principle applies in Scotland, where Renfrewshire Council lists an open lid as one reason a bin collection may be missed. Midlothian Council also requires lids to be fully closed and bins not to be overfilled before it will return to deal with a reported missed collection.
How households can avoid missed collections
For households, the practical fix is to avoid cramming in so much rubbish that the lid cannot come down. If there is more waste than the bin can hold, residents should check their council's guidance on recycling, household waste recycling centres or additional collection options instead of piling bags on top.
Residents can check their collection arrangements and what to do if a bin is not emptied through their respective council's bin collection guidance. The No1 Binman's warning is a reminder that closing the lid is not just about keeping rubbish out of sight, but can also help prevent spills, damage and collection problems.
