You might think that leaving your trash outside will be enough to have it collected, but you're wrong. One binman named the real reason your garbage might be left on the side despite it being left by the bin.

Binman Ashley has made a name for himself on TikTok, where he's known as the 'No 1 Bin man', as thousands of viewers gather to watch his videos to learn about the best ways to dispose of certain items. He also uses his platform to explain the various rules binmen have to follow that many might not know about, such as why they can't always accept your rubbish.

In one video, Ashley revealed the 'real reason' binmen will not collect rubbish that has been left beside wheelie bins, as it has everything to do with a strict rule.

"The real reason we don't take extra bags. Put the bags in the bin!!" he wrote in the overlay text of the video, as the binman went on to lip sync to a sound.

Using a bin bag left on the ground as a prop, the audio features a clip from the TV show Pineapple Dance Studios, in which Louie Spence is heard saying: "Actually, I think this is health and safety. If you're running from a fire, trip. I'll be having a word."

Why don't bin collectors accept overflowing rubbish?

Refuse collectors typically leave behind additional bags placed beside bins commonly referred to as "side waste" because local councils enforce stringent "no side waste" policies.

Bin crews are constrained by lorry weight limits and waste reduction targets, meaning all rubbish must fit within the closed bin. Crews also operate on tight schedules, and stopping to manually load loose bags increases route times and hampers daily efficiency.

Rubbish bags left on the ground rather than inside a bin are also prone to being torn open by local wildlife such as foxes, cats, or rodents, creating an unsightly public mess that collectors simply do not have the time to deal with.

Furthermore, if extra bags are left alongside recycling bins, collectors will reject them, as recycling must be loose and un-bagged to avoid jamming sorting machinery and causing contamination.

What to do with overflowing rubbish

If you have more rubbish than your household wheelie bin can accommodate, you will need to take the excess to your nearest household waste recycling centre, as refuse collectors won't accept it.

But if you regularly find yourself with bags overflowing from your wheelie bin, or leaving bags beside it, it is worth considering whether any of the items could be recycled and placed in your recycling bin. And take some time to sort through your bags to ensure items such as paper, cardboard, plastics, and glass are separated.

You could also reduce the volume of your waste by squashing boxes, crushing plastic bottles, and flattening packaging to maximise space within your existing bags and bin.

Finally, you can get in touch with your local council to check whether you qualify for a larger wheelie bin or an additional bin owing to a large household size or medical requirements.