Wheelie bin owners warned over fines during Storm Éowyn
Owners of wheelie bins have been warned to take steps to properly secure them or they could find themselves facing a fine.
As Storm Éowyn approaches Scotland with fears over gusts of wind up to 100mph, bin owners have also been warned that their insurance might not be valid if they haven't ensured their bins are safely stored.
The rubbish receptacles can be lifted by high winds and flung across streets, dumping litter and causing damage to cars and property.
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Waste collection expert Mark Hall Businesswaste.co.uk said: "In past storms, we’ve seen wheelie bins flying around the streets everywhere, so we wanted to make sure people know what to do in these circumstances.
"Not all insurers will pay out for damage caused by bins if you haven’t made a reasonable attempt to secure them. You could even find yourself out of pocket, or incurring a fine from the council for littering or causing an obstruction.”
He has some tips on how to make sure your bin stays put during the storm.
1. Lock your wheelie bin
Secure your wheelie bin with a wheelie bin lock. These locks are designed to fasten wheelie bins tightly to walls or posts. Lock straps for wheelie bins are also available, which help keep the bin's lid firmly closed. This deters theft and ensures waste doesn’t spill out, particularly if the bin tips over during a storm.
2. Hook up your bins
Keep your bins in place by mounting a hook to a wall or post. Then use a bungee cord to wrap it around the bin or its handles and connect it. This is a good DIY alternative if you don’t have a lock. There are also brackets on the market that serve a similar purpose. Simply screw the bracket into a fence and clip in the wheelie bin handles to secure it.
3. Use a dedicated storage area
Consider a dedicated wheelie bin storage area. Ideally, this will be anywhere that provides sheltered protection like a shed, a garage, or a dedicated wheelie bin storage unit. If that’s not available, even a fenced-off or walled area with no roof will protect your wheelie bins more than leaving them exposed out in the open.
4. Keep your bins close together
Another way to ensure better security for your bins in stormy weather is by placing them close to one another. Binding them together minimises the risk of the bins toppling over in strong winds. For added protection, consider tying them together – just make sure you remove the rope when emptying them.
5. Place bricks near the wheels
If none of the options above are possible, simply place some bricks or rocks at the base of your wheelie bin to improve its stability in windy weather. Make sure you place them next to the bin and not in it, because that can cause a safety hazard. This is one of the simplest tricks, as the rocks can be removed easily as soon as the winds have passed.
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