As the saying goes ‘neighbours should be there for one another’, and they can be, by helping each other out with bin collections.
With changing work schedules and annual holidays there’s bound to be a time when either yourself or a fellow neighbour needs a bit of help sorting their rubbish.
From bin sitting whilst neighbours are on holiday to offering up a bin to others in need and not leaving smelly rubbish outside, there’s plenty that can be done to help keep residents in your surrounding area happy.
A simple action such as wheeling a bin back to a neighbour’s house following waste collections may sound simple, but it will be greatly appreciated and may result in the favour being returned in the future.
Harsha Rathnayake of JunkHunters.co.uk said: “To keep friendly with fellow neighbours you can adopt some courteous rubbish habits which will help you on your way to building a good relationship with the people you live close to.
“Taking the time to look out for others living close by can build a sense of community and create a pleasant environment for residents.
“Always try and assist those in need and offer help if you feel someone is struggling, allowing surrounding households to use your bin if theirs is too full is also a nice gesture, as is offering to sort bins whilst a neighbour is away.”
Start doing the following six things to help your area become a friendlier, tidier place to live:
1. Let neighbours use your bin if they don’t have space
At times, some households will have more waste than others, so if you have space to spare it’s good to share it with neighbours so that bags aren’t left piled up out in the open vulnerable to wildlife attack.
2. Take your neighbour’s bin back to their house following collections
If you’re wheeling your bin back to your house and you see your neighbour’s standing at the kerb, just wheel it back to the front of their house, it will take seconds and they’ll thank you for it and return the favour if they get a chance.
3. Take over your neighbour’s bin duty if they are on holiday
If your neighbour’s go away, offer to sort their bins whilst they’re gone – it doesn’t take more than a minute and when you go away you’ll be able to ask them to take over your bin duty.
4. Don’t use your neighbour’s bin without asking first
If you have no space in your bins for your rubbish, don’t simply plonk it in another’s bin without asking first. Give them a knock and explain the situation and if they’re happy for you to use it then go ahead.
5. Don’t keep smelly rubbish in front of the house
If you have smelly rubbish in your bins, don’t keep it outside your house – keep it in the back garden or take it to another bin so it’s not stinking up a fuss.
6. Don’t leave rubbish out for seagulls to find
Seagulls love rubbish, so don’t make it easy for them to attack your bin bags by leaving your bin lid open or piling up bags next to bins outside – you will end up with rubbish strewn up the street and unhappy neighbours.