8 December 2023
New Workplace Recycling Regulations Announced in Wales
New Workplace Recycling Regulations come into force in Wales on 6 April 2024. Find out what this means for your business and how to prepare in this guide.
How to Secure Wheelie Bins in a Storm
Wet, windy, and wild weather causes chaos for wheelie bins. It can blow them over, strewing waste across the street that might pollute the local environment, while damaging the bin itself. That’s why it’s important you try to secure your wheelie bins when there’s a storm on its way.
Wheelie bins are convenient for homes and businesses to store all sorts of waste and easily move them around. Most are built from solid plastic, which makes them sturdy and waterproof. Heavy rains, strong gusts of wind, and hail provide a real challenge that can blow over wheelie bins in a storm.
Rubbish escaping from a bin can end up in local waterways, contaminate land, and block drains. Even if it blows out of your bin accidentally, it’s your responsibility to reduce the risk by preparing your bin properly. Discover how to secure wheelie bins in a storm at home or work with these steps.
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How to stop a wheelie bin
blowing over in a storm
If a wheelie bin falls over in a storm there’s a chance that all the waste it contains could blow away, littering the local environment. Your household or business is responsible for any wheelie bins you use so should take steps to avoid this happening. It ensures all your waste will be disposed of and recycled responsibly.
There are many things you can do to secure your wheelie bins to stop them from blowing over in a storm:
- Lock your wheelie bin – one of the best ways to secure a wheelie bin in general is with a dedicated wheelie bin lock. Many are specifically manufactured to lock wheelie bins to walls or posts. There are also wheelie bin lock straps that secure the lid and keep it closed, which prevents theft and stops rubbish from blowing out if your bin falls over in a storm.
- Hook up your bins – install a hook on a nearby wall or post and tie some bungee cord around your bin or its handles and attach it for a DIY alternative to locking your wheelie bins. There are also brackets available that act similarly. Simply screw the bracket into a fence and clip in the wheelie bin handles to secure it.
- Use a dedicated storage area – businesses should consider a dedicated wheelie bin storage area. Ideally, this will be undercover in a shed, indoors, in a garage, or in a dedicated wheelie bin storage unit. Even a fenced-off or walled area with no roof will provide more shelter from the elements than standing your wheelie bins out in the open though.
- Keep them close together – positioning wheelie bins near each other provides extra security rather than having them stand out on the street corner alone. Place them next to your neighbours’ bins if possible. Tying them together also reduces the chance of wheelie bins blowing over but it adds an extra obstacle when they’re being emptied, so avoid this.
- Place bricks near the wheels – it can be tempting to put rocks or bricks in your wheelie bin or on the lid to add extra weight. However, this presents a safety risk if it falls off and injures someone and the bricks may be accidentally thrown away with your waste. Instead, place a couple of bricks or rocks around the wheels and base of the wheelie bin for extra security, as these can be removed easily.
What to do to protect
your wheelie bin from rain
As well as the wind from a storm blowing over wheelie bins, any rain, hail, and snow can damage the bin and the waste it contains. Rainwater will contaminate recyclable waste, such as cardboard and paper, if it gets into your bin. This can prevent it from being recycled and reused, so protecting wheelie bins from rain is vital.
There are a few things you can do to safeguard your wheelie bins against rain, hail, and snow:
- Keep it under a roof – securing the lid with a lock is useful but keeping your wheelie bin in a sheltered space under a roof is the best way to protect it from the rain. A shed, garage, or dedicated wheelie bin storage unit are all good options.
- Use waste bags – storing your waste in bags adds an extra layer of protection when in a wheelie bin. This provides a little bit more of a waterproof layer and means if the bin falls over the rubbish is less likely to blow away.
- Check for cracks – regularly clean your wheelie bin and look for any cracks or signs of damage where rainwater could get in. Tape these up or request a new wheelie bin to avoid water damage in the future.
Moving your wheelie bins in a storm
Homes and businesses must move their wheelie bins to the agreed pickup point ahead of the collection time. This is often at the curbside for households, on your premises or outside the main gate for businesses. Wind and rain can make moving two and four-wheel bins a lot more challenging.
Normally it’s best to put your wheelie bins out well in advance to ensure they’re emptied and collected. However, in a storm try to take them out as close to the pickup time as possible to minimise the risk of it blowing over. You could place a few bricks near the wheels for extra security.
Get free secure wheelie bins
for your commercial waste
At Business Waste we provide a wide range of free wheelie bins – you only pay for collection. This includes everything from 120 to 1100 litre wheelie bins to store general waste, recyclable rubbish, and other types of commercial waste. Wheelie bins are available anywhere in the UK with no rental charges.
We can provide lockable wheelie bins for extra safety and security to reduce the risk of theft and damage. Daily, weekly, and fortnightly bin collections are possible to ensure regular removal of your commercial waste. Get a free no obligation quote for wheelie bins and commercial waste collection in the UK today – contact us online or call 0800 211 8390.
Get a free quote
Get a fast FREE quote for your wheelie bins
- Free quote within 1 hr
- Any type of waste
- FREE bins and delivery
- We cover all of the UK
5 December 2023
How to Have a Sustainable Christmas
Use these sustainable Christmas ideas to reduce waste at home or work this festive season. Find out how to have a sustainable Christmas with this guide.