A binman known as The No1 Binman has warned that overfilling a wheelie bin can lead to the lid being damaged or ripped off when the container is lifted into the collection lorry. With more than 210,000 followers and nearly four million likes on TikTok, he responded to a viewer who asked why their bin lid kept getting "eaten" by the bin lorry.
"Right, this is not the bin man's fault," he said, before explaining that the problem can happen when a bin is "overfull, overfilled". He warned that if people do not want their lids damaged, they should avoid putting more rubbish in than the bin can safely hold.
How the lid gets damaged
According to the binman, the amount of rubbish can leave the lid sitting at an angle when the container is lifted. He explained that the lifting mechanism can then catch the lid along with the waste, potentially ripping it off or causing damage. He also suggested there could be another reason for the problem, saying there could be "too much stuff in the well when they clear it". However, he stressed that overfilled bins are usually the main culprit in these situations.
Council rules on overfilled bins
The advice is backed by council guidance, although collection rules vary between areas. Manchester City Council says residents should not overfill their bins and warns that collections may not take place if the container is overloaded or its lid does not fit properly. Other councils are similarly strict about lids being closed before collection. Barnet Council says overfilled or excessively heavy bins cannot be emptied, while Buckinghamshire Council states that crews can refuse to empty an overfilled wheeled bin if its lid is open.
The No1 Binman also claimed that crews should not normally collect bins that are visibly overfilled in the first place. That means residents could face two problems if they pack in too much rubbish: a damaged lid and a bin that is left unemptied.
How to avoid the problem
There is a simple way to avoid both issues, according to the guidance and the binman's warning. Make sure the lid can close fully before putting the bin out, and check your own council's rules if you regularly find there is more rubbish than your household container can hold.
