The little-known device being embraced by councils to stop annoying bin issue
Overflowing bins are a frustrating problem for residents and also provide an opportunity for scavenging birds.
The issue of waste disposal is one councils all around the country are grappling to deal with right now. As suburbs grow and our population increases, so too does the amount of rubbish households create.
There's nothing more annoying than missing bin night — or even worse, when garbage collectors don't show up at all — and you're left with an overflowing bin for another week. This common scenario is one that's played out across Australia in recent times. It's frustrating for residents and, it also attracts opportunistic, scavenging birds.
The result? Rubbish strewn all over the lawn and a lot mess left to clean up. In response, several Aussie councils have come up with a clever solution to keep bins tidy and pesky birds away from foraging for a snack.
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a spokesperson for a major Sydney council said their handy little bin latches have been so successful among its residents at keeping rubbish in — and birds out — during a trial phase, that they are expanding the trial across the entire LGA.
Councils' simple device keeping bin night stress-free
A simple strap that clamps the lid to the bin's body, the little devices are actually being offered across a whole range of Aussie councils, mostly complimentary, or for a small fee in some parts. In Campbelltown in Sydney's southwest, a council spokesperson said residents have very much enjoyed keeping their bins tidy thanks to the handy clips.
"Council conducted the bin lock trial between June and November 2023 across five suburbs, before extending the trial to the remainder of the LGA, with 258 participants," a Campbelltown spokesperson told Yahoo.
"Council has resolved to relaunch the bin lock trial to make it available to businesses and apartment building managers and to increase promotion and awareness among the wider community,” Campbelltown City Council spokesperson."
On social media, it appears some residents could certainly use the clips, with a photo emerging this week showing one Sydney local's rather creative, but much more complicated way of keeping their bin lids closed — using full, zip-tied water bottles. Luckily, people responding informed that resident of the existence of the clips.
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In Victoria, the City of Monash council have also offered the devices as a trial.
"Monash Council has been trialling bin latches on two residential streets to help prevent waste from escaping," a statement said in June. "Residents on both streets have been surveyed about the trial, with most people finding the devices easy to use and resulting in reduced litter on their streets and in our drains and waterways.
Over 90 per cent of respondents indicated they would continue using the latch if it was left on their bin. "We will use this information from residents to review the program and how we use it in the future," the statement continued. Speaking to Yahoo, a City spokesperson said as of September the trial is ongoing.
In South Australia, the City of Onkaparinga — located on the southern fringe of Adelaide — have the clips available for $7.50 each for the first one, and $15 each after that.
"Sales of bin latches have been steady ever since our initial trial in December, 2021, with peaks in sales following high wind events. We originally purchased 1,000 latches and are about to order more because our stock on hand is down to less than 100," a spokesperson told Yahoo.
"The steady sales" and the "positive feedback we’ve received" suggest the latches are successfully keeping lids closed and preventing litter from reaching the streets, they added.
"Crows are the primary bird/animal issue in our area for bin litter and latches certainly deter the birds from pecking at exposed bags and allowing litter out of the bin. The latches are also a much safer option to keep your bin lid closed than using bricks or bottles, which we discourage because of the risks posed to passers-by, collection trucks and passing vehicles," the spokesperson said.
Many councils around Australia offer the handy little feature and locals have been told to contact their council to see if the clips are available.
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