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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Neighbour adding to my bins all the time

45 replies

Mentalray · 07/11/2019 16:22

Should I say anything? Originally he asked if it was okay to occasionally add his bags to our bins because he missed the collection time and I said okay...but now it's becoming annoying.

The collection is only every two weeks and you're allowed 3 big bags max (so 6 bags per month). I have teens and big dogs and a house that is always requiring fixing -- so I always have the full amount allowed, despite composting and recycling.

My neighbour again today some how missed the pickup (9am) and has put his one bag (older retired couple) on top of my full amount and it looks like I am cramming extra rubbish in my allowance. Neighbours to left and right of me have only one bag each and he could have put it there if he just talked to them.
Would I be unreasonable to tell him I always have the full amount and he needs to ask the others?

OP posts:

diddl · 07/11/2019 17:33

If he has just the one bag, can't he just leave it until the next collection?

Would it be a hassle to put their bin out or remind them to?

hallohallohallo · 07/11/2019 17:36

My neighbour has about 10 large bags of rubbish each WEEK. How on earth a family of TWO ADULTS has that much rubbish I will never know. They do not recycle though, so perhaps that is adding to their weekly rubbish. But still, 10 large bags every single week?

I too would find that annoying OP, but if at all possible try to stay friendly with your neighbour. Maybe try to remind him the night before or morning of collection day? Do you put your rubbish out the night before collection? That might help to prompt him?

Whattodoabout · 07/11/2019 17:37

Pretty shocked they can police the amount of bin bags you use. I imagine bigger families are absolutely screwed with this rule... We recycle absolutely everything we can but the green bin is still always busting after two weeks.

Aridane · 07/11/2019 17:37

OP - just have a polite but firm word with him. Don't doubt your sanity - YANBU

IwantedtobeEmmaPeel · 07/11/2019 17:40

Why can't he just put his bins out the night before like most people do? I'll tell you why, cos he is a lazy fucker who sees you as a soft touch and abuses your kindness. Time to woman up and tell him he needs to use his own bin from now on and that if he keeps putting his bag in your bin you will remove it and chuck it back outside his house, or in his front garden. I did that the first time the entitled madam next door tried this on, she hasn't done it again. Sometimes actions speak louder than words. My resting bitch face probably helps as well 🙂.

SuchAToDo · 07/11/2019 17:42

Get a wheelie bin lock, then he can't sneak anything in your bin...and tell him to set a reminder on his phone the night before collection day to put his wheelie bin out

TeaForTara · 07/11/2019 17:43

It's not up to the OP to remind him or put his bin out for him or teach him how to set up a reminder on his phone, FFS! Stop putting the mental load on to her. It's up to him to put his bin out. He's clearly not so old and senile as to not know it's bin day, is he? He just can't be arsed to get up early and put his rubbish out, or do it the night before.

OP YANBU. A little white lie saying you've been warned your bin is too full and so he needs to stop using it should do the trick. If it doesn't then yes, you will need to get a lock.

Etinar · 07/11/2019 17:45

Could be worse - one of my neighbours (who I don't even know) missed the collection but put their bags in my bin anyway i.e. after it had been emptied (!). At first I thought the bin lorry had just failed to pick up my bin - but as I was cursing them and wheeling my bin back in I realised it was less than full. Checked inside where there were different bags from mine but also messy food waste (yuk) and other recycling which not ought to be in there. Lovely.

CymaticPrincess88 · 07/11/2019 17:46

Chuck it back on his doorstep. He's using you.

WhatchaMaCalllit · 07/11/2019 18:27

I'm with @CymaticPrincess88 - put the bag back on his doorstep. Keep doing it if he puts another bag in your bin.

Seeline · 07/11/2019 18:32

Our bin men won't take the bin if the lid won't go flat shut. No chance of extra bags. Just tell him the bin men have warned you they won't take your bin anymore if it is over the limit.

Drum2018 · 07/11/2019 18:48

I'd also suggest telling him that the bin company have had a word about your limit and tell him he's not to use your bin anymore.

BanKittenHeels · 07/11/2019 18:51

Unless he is somehow paying your council tax then you have every right to tell him he needs to sort out his timing or ask someone else as you always meet your limit.

Original poster

Mentalray · 07/11/2019 21:26

thanks everyone for letting me know I am not being U.

No, my neighbour is not geriatric or vulnerable. He owns multiple properties which he maintains himself and vacations a lot. He could keep his garbage for a couple weeks in his garage but instead has to overload mine. I will try to 'woman up' and say something the next time I see him...

OP posts:

neverhadanymarblestolose · 07/11/2019 21:37

I'd tell him you had a warning message on your bin.

But if you don't want to confront him about it, then I'd be tempted to take your rubbish to the tip, so you don't need to put a bin out on bin day for a couple of weeks.

Although this might only work if you store your bins somewhere he can't access them when not out on bin day.

diddl · 08/11/2019 09:02

I think because he would have room to keep it until the next collection then you need to tell him that there's no longer any room at the bin.

Did you take his bag out yesterday?

Elementalillusions · 08/11/2019 09:18

I would take the bag out of my bin and back over the road and put it next to his bin or just in his drive.

I wouldn’t say anything to him though, he should get the message clearly enough.

Aridane · 08/11/2019 09:53

I'd tell him you had a warning message on your bin.

But if you don't want to confront him about it, then I'd be tempted to take your rubbish to the tip, so you don't need to put a bin out on bin day for a couple of weeks.

Why lie or go through time consuming subterfuge / alternatives. Just tell him - in the Mumsnet classic way - that it doesn't work for you. Fine as off, you were being neighbourly, but not on an ongoing basis

MeTheCoolOne · 08/11/2019 12:21

If I was your neighbour I would want to know that this was a problem for you. It could be that he genuinely doesn’t see a problem with it especially as he did ask your permission. He might just be being very thoughtless rather than being obnoxious.
So I think you should let him know. If you don’t want to talk to him drop him a note. There is no need to apologize and there is no need to be shirty.

hazell42 · 08/11/2019 15:06

Have your bin men ever refused to empty you bin because it is too full?
If they have, ok ,but If not why do you care?
It's a bin.
It's not as if you were sabing that space for something special.
Neighbourliness is a good thing. Giving up you excess bin space might be good investment. Can you not just live and let live.
Or do your bin men charge by the pound?

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