A refuse collector known as a 'bin-fluencer' on social media has issued a stark warning to households across the UK, stating that putting one specific type of item in the bin could lead to higher council tax bills. Ashley, a 37-year-old bin man from south-east England, regularly shares insider tips with his 153,000 followers on TikTok, and in a recent clip, he highlighted the dangers of improper disposal of certain items.
The Dangerous Items to Avoid in Bins
According to Ashley, people should never place disposable vapes, batteries, lighters, or any electrical items in their household or wheelie bins. He explained that these items can cause explosions, posing serious risks to waste collection workers and the public. "Don't put vapes or batteries, or anything like that, lighters, in your bin because it can make an explosion," Ashley said. "You could kill somebody."
Safe Disposal Alternatives
Ashley advised that instead of binning these hazardous items, individuals should return them to vape shops, or use designated bins at retailers like B&Q or supermarkets. "Make sure if you're gonna vape, you're gonna go back to a vape shop, take it back with you. Or if you're going to B&Q, you can put them, the batteries and stuff in the bin there, or supermarkets also do it," he said. He emphasised, "Just don't put them in, it's not worth it. Stop doing it. Don't put them in the bin."
Council Tax Implications
In one of his videos, Ashley addressed a comment suggesting that paying council tax entitles people to dispose of anything in their bins. He countered this by warning that such actions could lead to increased costs for everyone. "That will go up – so much more money when you set a bin lorry on fire, or go to a recycling plant and that gets set on fire," he stated. He added that if a bin lorry catches fire due to improper disposal, the repair and replacement costs are ultimately funded by council tax payers. "Do not put them in the bin for any reason, please. Because it's gonna put your council tax up, you know, if a lorry goes up in flames. Guess who's paying for it? Council tax."
Personal Experience with Bin Fires
Ashley shared a personal anecdote from his work, recounting an incident where a battery or vape caused a bin lorry to start smoking and explode. "I've had this before. I'm not sure if it was a battery or a vape or something. And then the back of the lorry started smoking. You hear a big explosion and then it starts smoking," he described. He explained that in that case, they had to extinguish the fire and separate the waste at the tip, but he noted that sometimes "the whole bin lorry goes up," leading to more severe consequences.
By raising awareness through his TikTok platform, Ashley aims to prevent such dangerous incidents and help keep council tax costs down for communities. His message underscores the importance of responsible waste disposal to ensure public safety and financial stability in local councils.
