Neighbour Using My Rubbish Bin

mooodeng on 23/12/2024 - 08:54
Last edited 23/12/2024 - 08:54

Ok so I've realised today that my opportunist neighbour is using my rubbish bin. I live with my partner and we usually don't manage to fill up our rubbish bin.

I took out the bin last night and the bin was probably 3/4 full. Today is my bin day, and this morning I went out for a walk where I noticed my bin was overflowing. Had a look and it seems that one of my neighbours has used my bin for their rubbish (there was another bin overflowing and had the same style of rubbish bags) My council does provide bigger bins but at an extra cost.

Anything I can do about this?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • theHMASfriendship on 23/12/2024 - 08:57
    +129

    You can ask your neighbour if they are going to top up your bin on bin night please do not leave it overflowing.

    • furyou on 27/12/2024 - 21:58

      I think OP is thinking of a way that doesn't involve any contact with neighbour, and also doesn't make neighbour realise the request comes from OP.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 23/12/2024 - 08:59
    +104

    If it’s bin night/collection morning I don’t care if my neighbours use my bins, I do get along with 3 out of 4 of my immediate neighbours though. Overfilling is where the line is crossed though imo.

    • JuryWheel on 24/12/2024 - 09:29
      +3

      This!

    • Mill House on 26/12/2024 - 08:26
      +2

      This is the Australian way

    • SummerZero on 28/12/2024 - 08:22
      +1

      I dont mind what happens once the bin is out on the kerb.

      However there are some unwritten rules, e.g. do not leave a mess behind for me to clean up; use bags, i don't need to clean up after you.

      other than that, it's fair game

  • c64 on 23/12/2024 - 08:59
    +25

    if it gets taken away then what is the problem?

    • GordonD on 23/12/2024 - 09:03
      +43

      Yes, surely letting them use the unused capacity in your bin is the neighbourly thing for you to do.

      Just as long as the don't fill your bin to overflowing.

      • Benno007 on 24/12/2024 - 08:57
        +13

        So long as they don’t leave it overflowing * or leave disgusting juices in it! 🤮

        My parents often had to use neighbors bins. My bin of my partner and I used to only have 1 bag/week in it back when red cycle was happening, so others always put stuff in ours. Didn’t care as long as it was clean

      • Dslrfirst on 24/12/2024 - 09:28

        What about unauthorised types/classes of rubbish being put in the bin?

      • dtc on 23/12/2024 - 09:43
        +31

        what advantage is being taken from you? Is it costing you money? Is it costing you time? Effort?

        Its actually not even 'your' bin (in most council areas). Its owned by the council (or sometimes the contracted waste collector). So you are being taken advantage of because someone is using something that isnt yours to do something that doesnt cost you any money?

        • elgrande on 23/12/2024 - 14:59
          +5

          Yes, it does cost money. You pay for your bin size in your council rates.

          • poboy on 23/12/2024 - 18:39
            +11

            @elgrande: This is not costing any extra money. Let's not have a strawman argument here. It's not the issue.

          • Sidor on 24/12/2024 - 07:37
            +4

            @elgrande: It is part of the rates annual fee, not sure if you can even remove rubbish connection from the rates to safe money, in other words you are not paying for it any extra.

            • elgrande on 24/12/2024 - 09:27
              +1

              @Sidor: I pay extra for a larger bin. My neighbor pays less for a smaller bin.

              • elgrande on 24/12/2024 - 18:01
                +2

                @elgrande: It's funny how people neg facts.

              • bobz79 on 24/12/2024 - 18:14
                +1

                @elgrande: then fill up your bin, neighbor(s) would use only if there is space.. :-)

                • elgrande on 25/12/2024 - 19:09

                  @bobz79: Believe it or not, this is what I do 🤣

              • dtc on 24/12/2024 - 21:34
                +2

                @elgrande: But it’s not costing you any more money and it’s not costing the council anymore money (since it’s still 2 x smaller bins). Who exactly is paying more?

              • Cusack on 26/12/2024 - 08:35

                @elgrande: Why don’t go for a for a smaller bin of you don’t use it?

        • Dslrfirst on 27/12/2024 - 08:56

          see above.

      • redforever on 23/12/2024 - 10:00
        +5

        If you are that concerned, you can install a gravity lock that still allow it to be emptied.

      • foursaken on 23/12/2024 - 10:21
        +14

        Wow. Sounds like you don't play well with others.

      • Some Human on 23/12/2024 - 12:51
        +1

        Turn in your ozbargain license now.

      • Nickels n Dimes on 23/12/2024 - 19:50

        That's not always as simple as it sounds — in a rental property the landlord has to do it, and they might be tenants.
        In my case, we have 3 largest size bins and they end up overflowing every time they're collected, the rest piles up in our carport which probably doesn't enthrall our neighbours, so they're happy to let us use the rest of their bins (so far).

      • jimmy1593 on 24/12/2024 - 14:06
        +1

        Chill mate, you're overthinking

      • lechuck123 on 24/12/2024 - 16:11
        +4

        What a miserable viewpoint to have.

      • Do I NeedThis on 27/12/2024 - 11:02

        I'd hate to be your neighbour. 'if you're complaining about this, god knows how hard it'll be to live next to you .

      • shreav on 27/12/2024 - 11:27

        Ladies and gentlemen…I give you the Grinch.

    • frostman on 25/12/2024 - 21:53
      +3

      if it gets taken away then what is the problem?

      Have you ever cleaned a rubbish bin flowing with 3-day old Prawn juices during Summer?

  • Dollar General on 23/12/2024 - 09:01
    +10

    Put the bin out in the morning probably ll you can do

  • BathRobe on 23/12/2024 - 09:07
    +23

    Once the bins are out they are fair game, but only to their limit. Ask them to not over-fill!

    • banana365 on 26/12/2024 - 16:40

      No, tell them not to overfill. Be polite, but be firm.

  • joka on 23/12/2024 - 09:17
    +24

    Usually I’d say “who cares” but if it’s overflowing and attracts the birds who love ripping bags and pulling out the rubbish and making a mess for you to clean up then yeh, that’s a problem. I’d take bags out and dump them at the door of the person who did it and I’d have a good reason to do so.

  • ihbh on 23/12/2024 - 09:22
    +21

    Next time stick a sign on your bin on bin night: "If you want to use my bin, please put $5 in my letterbox."

    You might get lucky and get $5 or a bag of doggy doo.

    When I wasn't home, my neighbour used my green bin, pulled it out and pulled it back in after it was emptied. When I did a lot of work and my bin was overflowing and his wasn't, I added it to his. It's more efficient to work in big blocks rather than piecemeal dictated by the capacity of your bin. Luckily we have neighbours who aren't knobs.

    • NigelTufnel on 24/12/2024 - 19:29
      +3

      For real! Heard so many horror stories of people living in streets where no-one seems to get along for stupid petty reasons. So glad all our neighbours are all lovely and helpful. Makes me never want to risk moving with all the apparent douches out there making life needlessly difficult for others…

  • Hardlyworkin on 23/12/2024 - 09:30
    +10

    Call 1800 binpolice

    • DoctorCalculon on 23/12/2024 - 20:55
      +8

      Also, report your neighbour on Bin Stoppers.

    • Loopholio on 24/12/2024 - 09:58
      +7

      We've got this case, [puts on sun glasses] in the can. (⌐■_■)

  • Save Medicare on 23/12/2024 - 09:53
    +4

    Respond swiftly and decisively. Make it clear that you do not negotiate with bin overladeners

    • BargainCowboy on 24/12/2024 - 11:30
      +3

      Profile picture checks out

  • holdenmg on 23/12/2024 - 10:02

    Put a Padlock through the Lid and the Base.

    Take it out the night before.

    Unlock Padlock prior to the Truck

    Job Done.

    Be aware some Councils propose to charge by Bin Weight, so you don't want to be paying for your Neighbours rubbish to be removed.

    • Euphemistic on 23/12/2024 - 10:53
      +24

      If you need to go remove a padlock before the truck arrives, wouldnt you just be better off putting the bin out at that time?

      • holdenmg on 23/12/2024 - 11:18
        +1

        Maybe.

        But if you put the Bin out with a Padlock, the Neighbour will see it and should cease and desist (unless they have bolt cutters).

    • Protractor on 23/12/2024 - 14:46

      Maybe a really loud shrieking alarm linked to the lid. Activate after putting bin out.
      Or a notice under lid saying *"WTF are you doing live on youtube using my bin?"**

      Maybe a wireless speaker in the shrubbery to whisper messages to the neighbour as he deposits his rubbish?

    • PleasureMe on 25/12/2024 - 21:47
      -1

      This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. And also really petty.

      • banana365 on 26/12/2024 - 16:42

        Can't have heard a lot then.

  • JimmyF on 23/12/2024 - 10:07
    +9

    Anything I can do about this?

    Wait till the truck comes down the street and put it out?

    Honestly its the rules of the street, once the bin is out on the street, its fair game for others to use.

    You're hardly being 'taken advantage' as claimed. This was bin space you hadn't planned on using, cost you nothing extra etc.

  • mrkorrupt on 23/12/2024 - 10:17
    +1

    I agree with the majority here, You should take the bin out as late as possible prior to the truck coming where convenient, eg. I live on my own and take it out sunday night after 7pm. its usually a quarter full, I don't mind if people drop their items into my bin after I take it out. if they place items in it before I bring it in (like a small chip wrapper or rubbish they would have thrown on the side of the road then its okay, but no bags etc.

    Also I had a person who placed their big huge boxes in my recycle bin a few days before the pickup day, I had a gander and saw there info on it, was about to take it back to their joint, but instead took photos and reported to council after removing from my bin.

    • bohn on 23/12/2024 - 15:20
      +1

      I had a gander and saw there info on it,

      they (profanity) up, always cut the address/postage labels off ;)

  • try2bhelpful on 23/12/2024 - 10:25
    +5

    As long as it isn’t overflowing I really don’t care. If you want to get anal about it install a camera to catch the culprit. However, it won’t do a lot for neighbourly relations. We used to live next door to the neighbour from hell. Wait until you have real issues you need to deal with.

  • bbinc on 23/12/2024 - 10:37
    +6

    I’m not against bin sharing, but councils are becoming very picky about correct sorting and forbidden stuff. Overflowing is a no-no. Council often refuses to take it. Our council also polices what’s in the bins from time to time and leaves audit tags on our bins. So if a dog walker puts doggy do in our recycling, green or glass bin it doesn’t get taken. Yes, we have four different bins each with finicky sorting rules. One worker makes sure the bins are clear of cars, lifts the lids and has a look to see if it all complies. Some councils have cameras in the trucks apparently.
    So bin sharing means the neighbour has to care about the correct sorting too. If they put the wrong stuff in then I have to fish it out. If they fill my bin up where do I put my rubbish? It’s not a free service, there is a specific charge on the rates notice, and is more for larger bins.

    • Guybrush57 on 23/12/2024 - 20:32

      A glass bin? That's new to me!

      • bbinc on 24/12/2024 - 07:45
        +1

        Surf Coast Victoria. Gets collected once every four weeks. At 6am that’s a lot of noise!

    • jackspratt on 24/12/2024 - 14:54
      +1

      How do you fit a car in a domestic bin?

      • mapax on 24/12/2024 - 15:11

        One part at a time and with a good reciprocating saw…

    • Analytical Therapist on 25/12/2024 - 17:32
      -4

      I got stung by one of the audits once, i was being lazy and dropped a pair of nitrile gloves in the recyclables bin as it was the closest one after i finished some work and they refused to empty the bin. I put on one of these https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/174649153094? on each bin and laughed at the camera footage the next time they tried to open my bins to audit. City of Casey can go suck on a lemon!

      • Analytical Therapist on 27/12/2024 - 16:20
        -1

        Good to see that there are a bunch of City of Casey bootlickers on here.

  • Euphemistic on 23/12/2024 - 10:55
    +1

    If its not overfull, i dont care.

    I often put stuff in my neighobours bins - when they are away. Put the bins out for them, pht something in them so the bin truck doesnt pick up an empty.

    • cheepo on 23/12/2024 - 11:45
      +1

      I wish I had neighbors like you.

      • Protractor on 23/12/2024 - 13:32
        +2

        Everybody needs good …. neighbours

    • freefall101 on 23/12/2024 - 13:58
      +5

      There's always a neighbour who either hates it for no reason or takes it too far.

      My neighbours all do this with each other, but once I didn't get to bringing in a green bin until the next day and someone completely filled it in the meantime (it wasn't my waste, full of branches from trees I don't have). It meant 2 weeks of storing all my green waste.

      I asked a neighbour about putting some of my stuff in their bin once, when we were both putting bins out at the same time and it was a flat no. I even asked if his was full and it was a no, apparently it's his bin and I can use my own. Gotta love grumpy old people.

  • Bruceflix on 23/12/2024 - 11:21
    +8

    I'd rather have a neighbour using my bin than have a neighbour whose house is overflowing with rubbish.

  • JIMB0 on 23/12/2024 - 11:44

    Put grease on the handles.

    • TEER3X on 23/12/2024 - 23:06
      +7

      I don't think you've thought this one through

  • mapax on 23/12/2024 - 11:50
    -1

    Walk your neighbour up to the bin, take some inspiration from the latter part of this video.
    jk maybe not…

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 23/12/2024 - 12:06

      I looked but there was no companion behind the scenes video of the making of that music clip video… the song IS kinda catchy though

      • mapax on 23/12/2024 - 12:14
        +2

        Only problem is I think it has been used on an Aldi advert recently sonyoubwillnhavevto wear an Aldi branded tracksuit whilst listening to it…

        • Jimothy Wongingtons on 23/12/2024 - 12:32
          +1

          an Aldi branded tracksuit

          I’m sure I’ve seen a real one before online … I’d unironically wear one to do my usual Colesworths shop

          • mapax on 23/12/2024 - 12:33
            +1

            @Jimothy Wongingtons: lol, just saw that massive typo I made! That’s what I get for phone posting without glasses on.

            I think they were available in Aldi earlier in the year.

            • Protractor on 23/12/2024 - 13:11
              +3

              @mapax: Cheers, for that, you found my next password

        • BewareOfThe Dog on 23/12/2024 - 22:23

          I missed them when they were released.

  • cheepo on 23/12/2024 - 11:59
    +2

    This is one of those neighborly things that we can get divided on and where people sometimes don't apply courtesy. You may need to confront your neighbor if it's impacting you to the point of council not collecting it or rubbish overflowing into the streets as a result of the bin being too full etc.

    Take into consideration the relationship you have with you neighbor. If it's somebody you don't have much interaction with or know are difficult, you may be wasting your time and you're better off taking out the bins late at night or early in the morning as others have suggested. There is no escaping neighbors (unless you move somewhere remote of course) so taking the high road is always my first approach to any issues I have with mine.

  • Some Human on 23/12/2024 - 12:53
    -4

    Recently a dog walker put a small bag of dog shit in my empty bin. It was my fault for leaving it out 2 days past collection. Not a big deal though, i just see it as getting more value out of the rates i pay to have it collected.

    • smartazz104 on 24/12/2024 - 11:50

      Yeah nothing like having shit in your bin for almost a week to really get your money’s worth.

    • Joda on 24/12/2024 - 18:31

      Our local dog walkers just leave it on the nature strip where the kids sometimes play - we have to go out and clean it up.

      We'd be happy if they picked it up, bagged it and binned it - even if it was my bin.
      I'd even leave my bin out if they'd make the effort to clean it up.

  • Protractor on 23/12/2024 - 13:09

    Talk to your neighbour, and also tell him that his household produces too much waste. They probably chuck all their recycling into landfill too.Hence the mega rubbish level.
    Personally for the amount of rubbish he placed in 2 other households bins, he's the AH for not asking or telling you, and still doing it. On the sly.
    Landfill sites are already hard to find, and filling too quickly as it is. Too many humans.

  • netpenthean on 23/12/2024 - 14:56
    +5

    it's a bin.. it's rubbish.. who cares

    be a good neighbour

    • Protractor on 23/12/2024 - 15:58
      +8

      Great concept. But not as great as ask first.
      Not sneak around and take it for granted

  • ihfree on 23/12/2024 - 18:43
    +2

    Go chat to them. I've had one neighbour do a similar thing without asking. I wouldn't mind if they asked and didn't leave it overflowing.

    Another neighbour who we're on for terms with has asked to borrow our green bin once or twice.

  • Nugs on 23/12/2024 - 20:51
    -1

    Paint bomb booby trap like with money
    .

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 23/12/2024 - 22:24
    -1

    Put vaseline on the lid/handles.

    • Protractor on 23/12/2024 - 23:04

      Or 45K kms old sump oil from a Mitsubishi 4D56 engine on them. Believe me, they'll never go there again.

      • TEER3X on 23/12/2024 - 23:07

        I would think the ratepayer would want to bring the bin back inside the next day

        • Protractor on 23/12/2024 - 23:11
          +1

          That's OK, the ratepayer can wear gloves (cos they know what they did) and then clean the handles back up. It's about creating a deterrent. Aka the unauthorised dumper thinks > "this fkr is onto me".

  • May4th on 23/12/2024 - 23:40
    +1

    scrooge is that you?

  • caixy on 24/12/2024 - 00:48
    +1

    It’s fair game once off your property and on the street.

    If it annoys you, put it out in the morning - seems you’re up anyways going for a walk. You do run the risk of missing collection entirely though - you may sleep in, the truck may be early…

    We had a rude neighbour come onto our property to take our bins when he needed it, so we started putting it behind the locked gate and taking it out the morning of to help combat this.

    Good luck in your bin wars!

  • Miss B on 24/12/2024 - 02:20
    +5

    We had a neighbour moving out who completely filled our general waste and green bin the day after they were collected, both with general waste, and the rest of our recycling bin with recycling on the off week. Luckily we knew who it was and returned it to them. They'd been brought in, but we only have space for them at the side of the front yard. I don't mind people using the rest of our bins when they're on the street, but they took it a bit far coming onto our property the day after bin day.

    • HelpMeiCantSee on 24/12/2024 - 13:42

      That’s a bridge too far. If they asked, different story. If it’s right before bin pickup, no worries.

    • ProlapsedHeinous on 24/12/2024 - 14:04

      now thats a real dick move…

    • Analytical Therapist on 25/12/2024 - 17:38
      +3

      I had my neighbor stuff a whole microwave in my recycling bin once. They even had the nerve to deny it was them (They came to my door and asked why i dumped a microwave on their porch lol) They changed their tune pretty quick when i whipped out my phone and showed them the recording of the husband at 4am putting it in my bin.

    • snackerjoe on 25/12/2024 - 17:44

      Glad you knew who the culprits were and were able to return it to them!

  • Purp on 24/12/2024 - 07:17

    Since OP is being so petty, put a lock on your bin until morning and just before the truck pulls up take the lock off so no one can put their rubbish in your bin.

    • HelpMeiCantSee on 24/12/2024 - 13:43

      Must be pretty keen to keep the skeletons locked away in the closet (bin)

  • ozpat on 24/12/2024 - 07:29
    +5

    Hide in the bin and when your neighbor opens the lid pop up and scare the bijeezus out of him. :-)

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