Binman says general waste won't be collected if you put 1 item inside
There are strict rules you have to follow to ensure your bin is collected on time.
Many of us know the feeling of frustration that comes with bringing our wheelie bins back in after collection day, only to realise ours hasn't been emptied. Sometimes this can just be a mistake, but more often than not, it's because the binmen have been unable to empty our bin for one reason or another.
There are several reasons why bins won't be collected, ranging from the bin being too full to safely lift into the back of the lorry to a fault with the truck itself that means the binmen have to come back later to finish the job.
But one of the most common reasons binmen don't empty a bin is that the household has put something in it that they're not supposed to. This can include trying to put food or general waste into your recycling bin, or putting substances in your general waste bin that aren't meant to be there.
One binman recently shared on social media that you should never put one item in your bin, as it could be very dangerous. What's more, it's inconvenient for residents because it could prevent their rubbish from being taken away.
Ashley, known online as the No.1 Binman, shared a video on TikTok in which he insisted he will never take away a rubbish bin that has a vape inside, as it could be highly dangerous.
Over a soundbite of the song We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister, Ashley wrote: "When the binmen notice the bin has vapes in it."
As of June 1st, the sale and supply of all single-use or disposable vapes is actually illegal in the UK, so if you do vape, you shouldn't have one that you're just going to throw in the bin anyway.
Reusable and refillable vapes are still completely legal for adults to purchase and use, but if one of these breaks and you decide to get a new one, you still cannot throw your old one in either your general waste bin or the recycling bin.
The lithium-ion batteries inside vapes can pose a serious fire risk when crushed in the back of a bin lorry, which can be incredibly dangerous for the binmen.
With the ban on disposable vapes now in effect, you must dispose of any old, single-use vapes properly. Never put them in your regular rubbish or your recycling. The same goes for broken rechargeable vapes that you need to get rid of.
Instead, you should first try taking your vape back to any supermarket or specialist vape shop, where they should have recycling bins for vapes. UK retailers and vape shops are legally required to accept used vapes for recycling, so these should be your first port of call when wanting to get rid of old vapes.
You can also try taking your vapes to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre, which should have a small electricals or battery recycling area. Always check with your council to make sure your local recycling centre does take vapes, as the facilities may differ between areas.