Don't put 1 item in your wheelie bin because binmen won't collect it

There are specific regulations that must be followed to ensure your bin is collected as scheduled. Many households will be familiar with the annoyance of discovering their wheelie bin hasn't been emptied on collection day . Bins may be left unemptied for several reasons, from being overfilled and unsafe to lift into the lorry, to mechanical issues with the vehicle requiring the crew to return later to complete their rounds. However, one of the most common reasons bins are left behind is that households place prohibited items inside. This includes attempting to dispose of food or general waste in recycling bins or placing unsuitable materials in general waste containers. A binman on social media has recently highlighted one particular item that should never be placed in your bin, warning it could pose a serious safety risk - and collectors will refuse to take it. Ashley, who goes by the name No.1 Binman online, posted a video on TikTok emphasising that he will never collect a rubbish bin containing a vape, due to the significant danger it presents. Set to the soundtrack of Twisted Sister's We're Not Gonna Take It, Ashley captioned his video: "When the binmen notice the bin has vapes in it." From 1st June onwards, the sale and supply of all single-use or disposable vapes has become illegal throughout the UK, meaning if you do vape, you shouldn't possess one that's destined for the bin, regardless. Reusable and refillable vapes remain entirely legal for adults to buy and use, but should one of these malfunction and you opt for a replacement, you still mustn't dispose of your old device in either your general waste or recycling bin. Ashley is correct, you shouldn’t put vapes (especially disposable e-cigarettes) in the normal bin because they’re battery waste + electrical waste and can be dangerous and hard to process in household rubbish. Vapes contain electronics (battery, wiring, heater coil, circuit board). In many places, they’re treated as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), which is collected separately for safe handling. Most vapes contain lithium-ion batteries. In bin lorries and waste facilities, rubbish gets crushed/compacted. If a battery is punctured, it can short-circuit and ignite, causing fires locally or at waste sites.