Bins being taken

[Bindiweek]

We have recently moved to the area and have nice neighbours but every other week one neighbour keeps taking our recycling bins. They are not mistakenly taking ours instead of theirs but keep taking both. We use multiple bins for different recycling (cardboard, glass, plastic, etc) so it's a different one each time. Initially we thought they had been churned up/damaged in the recycling machine until we saw them out with next week's recycling. This is happening so frequently that we have decided to not put our bins out anymore and drive to a recycling centre.
There are only 3 houses and all bins are numbered. What are these neighbours trying to do? I am trying to understand the reasoning behind it? Do they want some kind of confrontation or is it just entitlement?

Can you paint your house number on the bins?

Have you spoke to them about it

@sproutsandparsnips numbers are on all of the bins for all 3 houses.

so every week they nick one of your bins and then put it out as a second bon with theirs the next week? That is juts massive entitlement. Childish as it is i'd simply just take theirs too.

@Looneytune253 a couple of weeks ago I did ask if they had my bin. They denied they had it but did say that they had inadvertently taken it previously.

I'm just flummoxed as to 'why' unless it's because they have visitors and know that they will have excess rubbish that week and really think that is acceptable to just use somebody else's without any consideration. That is the only conclusion that I am coming to.

@calpop that's exactly what they are doing. We don't have time for game playing with them as it does look like that's what they want.

true, who's got time for that nonsense really.

Was your house empty for awhile before you moved in? My neighbours have taken the empty house next door that is having work done bins and have been using them as overflow bins for their house for the last 6 months.

Can you lock it to your fence with a bike lock?

@calpop No, moved in the same day the previous owners left. Does make us wonder if this is one of the reasons why they went.

@BigRedBoat these are the small recycling bins rather than the big wheelies. They are not being taken from outside of my home as we have. To take them from our drives to the main road.

Ah ok, that's a pain. Will the council replace it if you tell them it's been stolen?

When you see the bin out take it back and tell them to stop taking your bin.
It's ridiculous you are going to drive to the recycling centre.
Are you at home after the bins are emptied? I'd be standing waiting!

@BigRedBoat we had replacements a while ago when they first went missing. Had no idea that they would reappear a week later!

@ineedtostopbeingsolazy unfortunately we are out at work from dawn 'til dusk so are not around when the bins are emptied and ready to be collected.

It's not EVERY week though - only seems to happen when they have guests staying. I guess they need the extra box for the additional recycling being generated

I would put a big notice on the bins

please do not steal my bin
If if you do I will have to put my rubbish in your garden.

@florentina1 I do like that idea but just want a peaceful life 😣