Maintaining a friendly rapport with neighbours is often seen as essential, especially if you might need their assistance someday. But what if those very neighbours took something of yours?
A family in Australia was left seething when they discovered their neighbours had swiped their bin after rubbish collection day, leaving behind their own filthy one to avoid cleaning it.
The incident was shared on TikTok by @indians_in_brisbane_, who found themselves in a quandary over the brazen bin swap. The video showed the bins lined up together, with text overlaying: “Our bins are always stacked together with the neighbours.”
It continued: “Their bin didn’t get emptied, and now they’ve taken ours without asking. Pretty sure the one left behind isn’t ours. What should we do?” To make matters worse, upon opening the lid of the remaining bin, a swarm of flies escaped, indicating it hadn’t been cleaned for some time.
Wanting to avoid an uncomfortable confrontation but unsure how to proceed, they turned to the TikTok community for advice. Commenters were quick to suggest they reclaim their rightful bin, with responses like “go and get your bin back.”
One person said: “Go get a sticker. Go to your neighbour’s place and say you think they accidentally took your bin. Ask if you can check. Have the sticker in your hand, and when you get to it, discreetly put it on it. Say, ‘Yep, it’s mine,’ and point to your sticker.”
Others were baffled that residents hadn’t already “painted your house number” on their bins, which they deemed “pretty standard” for distinguishing one’s own bin from another’s.
This method not only helps identify the rightful owner but also acts as a preventive measure against opportunistic neighbours who might be tempted to swipe your bin.
Some contributors mentioned that obtaining a replacement bin is hassle-free, with one explaining: “My neighbours took our bin, I just ordered a new one, it’s a straightforward process. Just get a new one. It’s free and they drop it off pretty quick.
“I had the same issue, neighbours putting bins out too late, then taking mine coz theirs didn’t get emptied. I put our house number on ours, and they kept doing it, so I dumped their rubbish in front of their garage,” recounted another frustrated resident.
For those battling flies in their bins, the advice was clear: don’t attempt a sneaky swap with the neighbour. Instead, remove the offending waste attracting the flies.
Eliminate any food remnants or decaying matter and give the bin a thorough scrub with hot, sudsy water. Ensure the bin is bone dry before returning it to service.
To combat moisture and smells that lure flies, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda at the bottom of the bin. Always keep the lid firmly shut and refrain from leaving food waste uncovered.
It’s advisable to encase food waste in compostable bags prior to disposal. Regular bin emptying and rinsing can help stave off future infestations.
If the issue continues, you might want to think about relocating your bin to a cooler, shaded spot, as warmth can speed up decomposition and draw more flies.
What would be your approach in this scenario? Share your thoughts in the comments…