Trash Talk: How to Handle Neighbours Putting Rubbish in Your Bin

So, what do you do when you have wheelie bin issues with neighbours? Have you ever gone to put your rubbish out only to find that an unknown neighbour has filled your wheelie bin, or perhaps you have caught them in the act?

This can be an uncomfortable situation, as you may not want to damage your relationship with your neighbour. However, at the same time, you don’t want them to continue filling up your bin with their rubbish.

This practice, known as ‘bin stuffing’ in the waste industry, that could stem from a lack of consideration or a belief that it’s not a problem.

Either way, it’s important to address wheelie bin issues with neighbours before it gets out of hand.

This article addresses the potential issues caused by your neighbour putting rubbish in your wheelie bin, whether it’s illegal, how to stop it, and what actions to take if they continue. It also includes answers to frequently asked questions about wheelie bin issues with neighbours.

Issues with neighbours using your wheelie Bin

Are you dealing with a neighbour who is putting rubbish in your bin without permission? This not only creates tension but the potential for a dispute.

Neighbours using your bin can become a nuisance but can also cause the following issues:

• If neighbours are filling your bins, then you might not have enough space to dispose of your own rubbish.
• The Council can issue fines for overfilled bins and if recycling is disposed of incorrectly. If neighbours are using your bins, you don’t have any control over this.
• The Council can also refuse to remove your rubbish if the bins are overloaded.
• Increased chance of bin bags being left on the street next to the bins, especially if there are bin strikes.
• Causes tension between neighbours that can turn into a dispute.
• Increased smells and rodents if rubbish is not disposed of correctly.

Is it illegal to put your rubbish in someone else’s wheelie bin?

Using someone else’s bin without permission is a form of anti-social behaviour, as it is ‘fly tipping’. Fly-tipping is illegal and can be a serious criminal offence. If the bin is on someone’s private property, and you go onto their land (without their permission) to use their bin, this is trespass.

Many are unaware that it is a crime and will simply be using the bin to avoid rubbish building up on the street, however, it will be a nuisance to the owner if it happens on a regular basis.

All household owners have an obligation to dispose of their rubbish, and if they are unable to fit all of their rubbish within their own wheelie bin, then they should seek alternative means to dispose of it. For example, going to the local waste disposal facility.

The government defined fly-tipping as “illegal disposal of industrial, household, commercial, or other controlled waste”.

How to stop neighbours putting rubbish in your bin?

If you have witnessed a neighbour putting their rubbish in your bin without permission, then you can implement the following steps in an attempt to stop the problem:

1. Talk to your neighbour first to see if you can resolve the issue.
2. Put a lock on your wheelie bin, such as a padlock or gravity lock. You should contact your local council to check that they will remove the waste if there is a gravity lock on the bin.
3. Put your house number sticker on your bin.
4. Put a notice on your bin asking others not to use it.
5. Write a letter to the neighbour explaining your issues and request that they don’t continue to dispose of their rubbish in your bin. Keep a copy of the letter just in case the dispute isn’t resolved. I have a sample letter that you adapt and send to your neighbour that you can read here.
6. If possible, take your bins out to the street just before they are collected.
7. Put your bins in a lockable bin store, other than on collection day.

Here’s a Quick Pro Tip!

Engaging in a conflict with your neighbour can be quite unpleasant, and such situations often seem to extend indefinitely.

However, discovering your neighbour in the act of using your bin or committing any other unlawful act can serve as irrefutable evidence to secure victory in your dispute.

To effectively address such circumstances, it is advisable to equip yourself with a reliable security system like the Ring Video Doorbell or Outdoor Security Cameras, both readily available on Amazon. This proactive measure proves to be a prudent choice in this scenario since visual evidence possesses the power to convey volumes of information beyond mere words.

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What to do if your neighbour is using your bin?

1. Talk to your neighbour

The first thing to do is to talk to your neighbour, amicably. Most neighbour disputes can be resolved with a simple conversation, however, I appreciate that this is not always the solution.

Explain to your neighbour why you don’t want them using your wheelie bin and the issues it is causing (i.e. you don’t have enough space).

Once your neighbour is aware that it is causing an issue, this will usually stop them. If your neighbour responds that they have too much rubbish for their own bin, you could recommend that they go to the tip/local waste recycling site to dispose of this.

Be clear in the conversation that you do not want them to use your bin, without your permission again.

2. On bin day

On bin collection day if you find bags in your wheelie bin, remove your neighbour’s rubbish, put your own rubbish into your bin, and then the neighbour’s rubbish on top (if there is space).

As mentioned above, councils can refuse to remove the rubbish if the wheelie bin lid is not closed, so you want to ensure not to overfill it. If you do not have space in your bin and you know which neighbour is using your bin, return the rubbish to that neighbour.

3. Keep a log

It is recommended to keep a log and video evidence of the rubbish that has been placed in your bin.

If you are unaware of who is putting the rubbish into your bin, then you could consider getting home security camera system or a camera doorbell which can help you identify which neighbour it is.

I have an article on how to correctly gather evidence for a neighbour dispute that you can read here.

4. Enforcement

Both the environmental agency and the local authorities can investigate and enforce fines if someone is caught fly-tipping. Your local authority can issue a fine of anywhere between £150-£400 via a fixed penalty notice to your neighbour.

If the fly-tipping continues, and you can prove who is doing it, you can take your neighbour to court and if you are successful, you can charge them for the expense of disposing of the rubbish. The court can issue a custodial sentence of up to 5 years and an unlimited fine.

If the matter goes to court, this would usually be a serious case of fly-tipping.

As with all disputes, legal proceedings should be a last resort, as it is a timely and expensive process.

5. Report someone putting rubbish in my bin

If you have witnessed your neighbour fly-tipping then you can report this to your local council using the gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/report-flytipping. The council will then review the facts and take appropriate action.

I have a detailed article on how to make a complaint to the council about a neighbour, that you can read here.

I do have separate articles that you might find helpful if you are having issues with your neighbours about rubbish and bins:

• Wheelie Bin Issues with Neighbours (including FAQs)
• What To Do If Your Neighbours Bins Are Against Your Fence (and impacting your garden or property)
• When To Contact Environmental Health About A Neighbour

Can you put dog poo in someone else’s bin?

It is not deemed acceptable to put anything in someone’s bin, without permission. The same goes for dog poo and especially due to the smell. Some argue it’s better for the poo bag to be placed in any bin, rather than left on the path, or not even picked up at all.

If your dog goes to the toilet, this should be picked up and put in a public bin or taken home and put in your bin.

Neighbours stealing bins?

What if your dispute is worse than your neighbours putting their rubbish in your bins, what happens if your neighbours have stolen your bin and are refusing to return it?

To prevent your neighbour stealing your bin put your house number or stickers, such as these on the bin, so it is easily identifiable.

If you locate your bin, then talk to your neighbour and ask for it back. If you are unable to get your bin back, then you will need to contact your local council.

Neighbours smelly wheelie bins

If the odour from your neighbour’s smelly bins is causing an issue for you on your property, you can contact your local council. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires them to assess the extent of the problem and speak with your neighbour to find a resolution.

Before involving the council, try speaking with your neighbours about the issue. They may not be aware that the smell is affecting you.

If talking doesn’t resolve the situation, send a formal letter outlining the impact the smelly bins are having on you and that you will have to contact the council if the problem persists. Keep a copy of the letter for your records.

If the problem persists then you will have no other option than to go to the Council for their assistance.

Who owns wheelie bins?

Your local council must remove household waste and they provide bins to facilitate this. Therefore, the council owns the wheelie bins but you have free use of them. If your bin is stolen, you may have to purchase a new wheelie bin but some councils provide replacements for free.

If you purchase your bin online, you will need to contact the council to see if they will accept it. For example, if the new bin doesn’t have the correct dimensions, the bin lorry may not be able to pick it up and empty it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, dealing with neighbours putting rubbish in your bin can be a challenging and frustrating situation. However, there are several approaches you can take when you have wheelie bin issues with neighbours to resolve the issue in a respectful and diplomatic manner.

It’s essential to communicate your concerns to your neighbour clearly, and if necessary, involve your local council. Ultimately, by addressing the problem directly and respectfully, you can maintain a good relationship with your neighbours and ensure that your bin is not continually filled with their waste.