A bit cranky...

[pax]

So recently in this state they've started a recyclables scheme. This is a bit of a novelty for some, as apart from SA every other state did away with refunds on cans and bottles decades ago. Every dwelling, however, now has a recyclable wheely bin for householders to put paper, cans, bottles and plastics in, that gets picked up by a disposal company every alternate week.

Now there is an initiative where they are putting "reverse vending machines "in certain places, where you deposit certain recyclables( there were tales that half the items didn't qualify - I'm not sure if that has been fixed,)and it gives you money.

This encourages people to recycle, and some people were even cleaning up local beaches and parks, which is good; but there are some going through dumpsters and council bins, and this evening the dog started barking it's head off and I've gone outside to see some dodgy looking types getting out of an equally dodgy looking car and rifling through my bins.
I asked loudly "Are you lot right there?" and got a "Yeah we're just mumble mumble" and they got back in the car and drove off, leaving the lid half open and contents sticking out. (It has been raining recently. Amazing, I know)

I know it's not technically stealing, but is it right that people go through my bin, leave half the stuff sticking out the half open lid, and maybe think"Hmm they've just bought a new phone/computer/TV because the packaging is in here" ?

 

[SusanLR]

We have the recycable bins at every house too.
I know I would be very upset to find someone going through what's in it and making a mess.
It's not right IMO, but, there are some desperate people out there. Some just uncaring also.

I've never had that problem with people going through the bins.
But there is something that most of us do here to help those looking for throw away items that are too big to fit in the bin.
We lay the big items beside the bin the evening before pick up and there are what we call the "Pickers" that come around with trucks and take what they want.
Maybe an old chair, table, or some look for scrap metal they can collect and sell for some money.
It is very common and no one has ever been any trouble or messy about it.

 

[Progster]

It's annoying, but not a hanging offense. It's certainly not right that they make a mess.

@SusanLR has a good solution - separate out the items that they are looking for and put them in a bag beside the bin. It might also be possible to impovise a lock on the bin to stop people rummaging through it, which you will obvioulsy need to unlock on the day they come to empty the bin.

 

[Suzanne]

We have recycling bins just a small walk away and we do not have bins that are collected, so we have to make the effort ourselves and walk up to the bins and put the recycables in ourselves.

What winds my husband and me up, is that people park right outside our drive way, where it is quite clear that it is a driveway and it is in the highway code that you must not park there, but they do and give US the evil look, because we need to drive out.

Also, as my husband is reversing to drive in, the car behind him will beep his horn and again, give us the evil look as they pass and that amuses us very much.

If I were in your position, I would feel cranky too. It is rude to rifle through another's bin.

 

[Chance]

I wouldn't care about them getting in the bin so much as it is they are strangers, and they might see something else they like, that wasn't in the bin... They are already taking trash that isn't theirs so where do they draw the line if you leave something of real value laying on the porch?

In the closest town, we have bins but they are all located at one place (on city property), and not at peoples homes. I guess at least that keeps people away from other peoples private property. : )