An overflowing bin may cause all sorts of problems for your business – whatever type of waste it contains. Rubbish spilling out of a wheelie bin or any other container can create unhygienic conditions, attract pests, and release a nasty smell. This can put off customers and affect your staff as well.
It doesn’t look good for your business to have an overflowing bin sitting outside. It might also not be collected by your waste partner, or you could face additional charges, especially if the bin is also overweight. Any overflowing wheelie bins will have their lids open, which causes more problems.
Any rubbish that spills out risks getting wet and contaminated (which affects the recyclability of paper and cardboard) or blowing away in the wind and littering the environment. Find out how to prevent a bin from overflowing in your business for smooth waste management.
What causes overflowing bins
for businesses?
Sometimes the cause of an overflowing rubbish bin is preventable while at other times it may be accidental. Being aware of the potential reasons can help you reduce the chance of it happening within your organisation. Some of the main causes of overflowing bins for businesses are:
- Missed bin collections – mistakes happen and occasionally your regular bin collection might be missed. This can mean you have too much rubbish in your bin by the time the next collection happens, and it starts to overflow.
- Skipped collections – sometimes a commercial bin collection will be skipped if the bins aren’t placed at the pickup point at the agreed time. Drivers may skip the collection, which means waste starts to build up.
- Inaccessible bin – another reason for missed collections leading to extra waste and overflowing bins is if they’re in an inaccessible location. It could be behind a locked gate, blocked in by a vehicle, or down a narrow street.
- Extra waste – depending on your industry you might generate more waste at certain times of year due to seasonality or increased demand, such as more food waste from hotels during busy periods in summer. This can lead to bins overflowing if you haven’t adapted your collections or containers.
- Strikes – occasional strikes by waste workers result in missed collections, which can cause bins to overflow.
How to avoid your commercial
bins from overflowing
Dealing with overflowing bins isn’t pleasant and it can cost your business money if you have to pay for extra collections or overweight charges. The easiest way to avoid such issues is to prevent an overflowing waste bin in the first place. These are a few ways to prevent your commercial bins from overflowing:
- Conduct a waste audit – assess the types and volume of commercial waste your business produces regularly. Use this information to identify the best number and sizes of bins you need to separate materials and an efficient collection frequency. If you need some expert help contact the Divert team for assistance with an audit.
- Order extra bins – if you find your waste is often close to overflowing then simply add a few more bins to your collections. It might just be one dry mixed recycling bin, or you may need one more for each waste stream.
- Use bigger bins – an efficient and cost-effective way to prevent overflowing bins is to switch to larger containers if you regularly fill yours close to the limit. Check you have enough storage space and consider moving up from a 240 litre to a 360 or 660 litre wheelie bin, for example.
- Arrange more frequent collections – increasing how often you get your commercial bins collected can also reduce the risk of them overflowing. You might need weekly rather than fortnightly removals to stay safe or daily collection of food waste containers.
- Reduce the risk of missed collections – move your bins to the correct pickup place ahead of the agreed collection time and ensure it’s easy to access by the waste collectors. This minimises the chance of any missed collections and rubbish overflowing due to a build-up of waste.
What to do if your outside bin
is overflowing at home?
Dealing with an overflowing household wheelie bin is different as your local council or authority is responsible for collections. If you constantly find your domestic general waste or recycling bin overflows then check with your council to see if you can order an extra bin or a bigger one.
If this isn’t possible then you can always take the waste to your nearest household waste recycling centre (HWRC) for disposal. There should be containers for most household waste such as general waste, cardboard, metal, plastic, and other recycling. Alternatively, use a licensed waste company to remove it, such as with our man and van service at Divert.
Should just your general waste bin overflow then consider what you throw away that’s recyclable and could be placed in your household recycling bin instead. This can even out the load. Do not put your rubbish in a neighbour’s bin or dump it elsewhere as this is fly-tipping, which is illegal and terrible for the environment.
Will bin men take an overflowing bin?
Many bin men may not remove or empty an overflowing bin from a household or a business. This is because it could pose a health and safety risk for them to handle or move. Overweight bins can be unsafe to manoeuvre and lift, which could result in a possible injury.
It can depend on your local council or authority though for domestic bins. The safest option is to avoid an overflowing waste bin in the first place. Put any excess rubbish in bags next to it if there’s a risk of your bin overflowing. This way the bin should still be emptied even if the extra waste isn’t removed.
Avoid overflowing commercial
waste bins with Divert
Stay on top of your commercial waste with Divert. We can provide a wide range of free bins to store your rubbish securely and ensure you’ve got enough capacity. There are no delivery or bin hire costs – you only pay for collection.
Combine suitable bin sizes, types, and numbers with a collection frequency that’s cost-effective and efficient. Daily, weekly, and fortnightly collections are possible to reduce the chance of your bins overflowing. We can help with a waste audit and advise on the best options.
Speak to one of our friendly team or request a free quote for commercial bin collection today – call 0333 444 0118 or contact us online.
