There’s no good way to approach our rubbish collection, or is there?
It turns out that by being a friendly and courteous neighbour will help us maintain good ‘rubbish’ relationships.
Since moving into our new house, I have noticed our neighbours popping our bins back into our garden, and I couldn’t be more thankful. Returning these favours when your neighbour is away or leaves their bin out, can reap your rewards say the experts at Junk Hunters.
Founder of Junk Hunters, Harsha Rathnayake said:
“In a typical street, there will be a mix of residents, many with varying working patterns who are unable to sort their rubbish bins for collection. Elderly neighbours may be in need of assistance with their waste disposal as they may find it hard to move heavy bins.
“To build good relationships with your neighbours, always try and assist those in need and offer help if you feel someone is struggling.
“Allowing surrounding households to use your bin if theirs is too full is also a nice gesture, as is offering to sort bins whilst a neighbour is away. These easy steps are simple to do and will help towards your area becoming a nicer, tidier place to live.”
Here’s the list of six steps to becoming a bin friendly neighbour:
Let neighbours use your bin if they don’t have space
At times, some households will have more waste than others, so if you have space to spare it’s good to share it with neighbours so that bags aren’t left piled up out in the open vulnerable to wildlife attack.
Take your neighbour’s bin back to their house following collections
If you’re wheeling your bin back to your house and you see your neighbour’s standing at the kerb, just wheel it back to the front of their house, it will take seconds and they’ll thank you for it and return the favour if they get a chance.
Take over your neighbour’s bin duty if they are on holiday
If your neighbour’s go away, offer to sort their bins whilst they’re gone – it doesn’t take more than a minute and when you go away you’ll be able to ask them to take over your bin duty.
Don’t use your neighbour’s bin without asking first
If you have no space in your bins for your rubbish, don’t simply plonk it in another’s bin without asking first. Give them a knock and explain the situation and if they’re happy for you to use it then go ahead.
Don’t keep smelly rubbish in front of the house
If you have smelly rubbish in your bins, don’t keep it outside your house – keep it in the back garden or take it to another bin so it’s not stinking up a fuss.
Don’t leave rubbish out for seagulls to find
Seagulls love rubbish, so don’t make it easy for them to attack your bin bags by leaving your bin lid open or piling up bags next to bins outside – you will end up with rubbish strewn up the street and unhappy neighbours.
Do you and a neighbour share bin duties? Let us know
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Karlie Simmonds Karlie has worked in Digital Media for over 10 years, she is passionate about health and wellbeing and lives in Edinburgh with her partner, children, and Pug, Poppy.
