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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To use dead neighbours bins

64 replies

Lovelyskyx · 08/09/2025 09:18

My elderly neighbour sadly suddenly. died a few months ago, and I always used to use his bins (with his permission) as he had very little waste and we have a big family and many pets.
I haven't put anything in them since he passed as it felt disrespectful, even though I know he would say yes if I asked him and he was here, but we have a few extra bags of rubbish and the bins are being collected today, so I popped them in and put his bin out.
Now I'm feeling bad and worrying that his relatives would take it badly if they saw (they come round once or twice a week , but I haven't had chance to really talk to them or ask permission as it wasn't on my mind). , I'll obviously pop the bin back as soon as it's emptied.
Am I terrible for this?

OP posts:
insomniacalways · 08/09/2025 09:56

You definitely need to ask the council for another bin and pay for it. Def pop a note through for family, as they may need to use the bins when clearing the house. PS get a hotbin to compost as well but with that volume it still might be tricky.

Connectingconcrable · 08/09/2025 09:52

Ask the council for another bin. You will probably have to pay. Using next door’s bin isn’t a long term solution and actually you shouldn’t be doing it.

thecatneuterer · 08/09/2025 09:49

Lovelyskyx · 08/09/2025 09:23

Absolutely, we have 20+ pets that all produce bedding and waste so it's hard.

Me too, but actually many, many more cats than that. I have permission to use four different bins on my street - people who don't produce much rubbish themselves, and I make use of any empty property. And I still sometimes need to take a load to the tip.

MaloryJones · 08/09/2025 09:37

Aww
Don't worry OP , put your bags in the bin .

BeeCucumber · 08/09/2025 09:35

As pp have said - carry on using the bins for now. Is there anyway of getting a larger bin from the council? Mine does one for larger families.

Lovelyskyx · 08/09/2025 09:34

LimbOnTheBranchBranchOnTheTreeTheTreeInTheBog · 08/09/2025 09:27

I'm not sure what pets you have, but if there are over 20 that produce waste I'm assuming things like rabbits, hamsters etc.

Their waste can be composted, and so can stuff like sawdust. That should help a fair bit.

We have four dogs, six cats and the rest are guineas/ rats.
That's a good idea, thank you x

OP posts:
IglesiasPiggl · 08/09/2025 09:30

I agree that it's OK for now. Try catch someone when they visit the property to run it by them

LimbOnTheBranchBranchOnTheTreeTheTreeInTheBog · 08/09/2025 09:27

Lovelyskyx · 08/09/2025 09:23

Absolutely, we have 20+ pets that all produce bedding and waste so it's hard.

I'm not sure what pets you have, but if there are over 20 that produce waste I'm assuming things like rabbits, hamsters etc.

Their waste can be composted, and so can stuff like sawdust. That should help a fair bit.

WhatAboutTheOtherOne · 08/09/2025 09:27

I’d carry on using them but maybe you could put a note through the door with your phone number so that whoever is looking after the house can call you when you when they want you to stop. Using the bins makes the house look lived in and that’s better than it looking like an empty house.

i wouldn’t put any of the pet waste in his bin though.

Lovelyskyx · 08/09/2025 09:23

Luxio · 08/09/2025 09:22

Not at all but you need to consider a long term plan for reducing how much waste you have ready for when the house is sold and you can't use the bins any more.

Absolutely, we have 20+ pets that all produce bedding and waste so it's hard.

OP posts:
R0ckandHardPlace · 08/09/2025 09:23

Assuming you’ll put them out and bring them back in, I can’t see the problem.

Luxio · 08/09/2025 09:22

Not at all but you need to consider a long term plan for reducing how much waste you have ready for when the house is sold and you can't use the bins any more.

dodobedo · 08/09/2025 09:21

It's fine. I've done similar.

BunnyRuddington · 08/09/2025 09:19

Not at all.