Binman says ‘we won’t take it’ if you don’t do one thing with bins

Households have been warned that a small mistake on bin day could mean their rubbish is left behind

Putting the bins out is part of the weekly routine for households across Scotland, but leaving the lid open could mean the rubbish is not collected. The No1 Binman has explained why crews may leave an overfilled wheelie bin behind, warning that it could lead to damage or rubbish spilling onto the street.

The waste worker turned influencer, who shares advice on TikTok, has attracted more than 213,000 followers and around four million likes. In a recent video, he outlined why collection crews are instructed not to empty bins when their lids are left open.

“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 said. 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 problems when workers try to move a bin, allowing rubbish to spill onto the ground. “Everything just drops out of it, because the lid’s not closed,” he said, adding that there were “many reasons why we won’t take bins”.

The binman said workers can face criticism whatever they decide to do, whether they move the bin, empty it or leave it behind. “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.”

Council guidance backs up the advice to keep bin lids closed before collection. Renfrewshire Council lists an open lid and an overfilled bin among the reasons a collection may be missed, while Midlothian Council says bins must be fully closed and not overfilled to qualify for a return collection.

Scottish Borders Council also asks residents to put bins out with their lids closed, both for crew safety and to prevent rubbish being blown around. Its guidance says bins should not be overfilled or too heavy for workers to collect safely.

To avoid a missed collection, residents should make sure all their waste fits inside the bin and the lid shuts fully without being forced down. If it will not close, they should remove some of the contents and check their council’s advice on excess rubbish rather than leaving bags balanced on top or beside the bin.

Collection rules can vary between local authorities, so residents should check their own council’s guidance if they are unsure. The No1 Binman ended his video by asking people to tell him what they expected crews to do, saying: “If you don’t mind paying up for a new bin every single time, then, you know, tell your bin man.”