Windy weather – bin clips and other advice
Windy weather – bin clips and other advice
For safety reasons and to help us keep to tight collection schedules we ask that householders don't use heavy weights, ropes or bungees to keep bins lids or bins secured. Our crews won't be able to collect bins secured in this way.
You can use a weight up to 2kg, or a piece of electrical tape to keep bin lids closed.
The Council has also identified two suitable bin straps which residents can use if they need a solution for keeping the lid on their bins on windy days. They are quick and safe to unhook and have been tested by the collection crews on the bin lorries to make sure they don’t get tangled in the lifting mechanisms. They are:
- Schafer clips - these can be purchased from School Place, Kirkwall and Warehouse Building in Stromness, for £5.50
- Caithness Beach Clean bin closers - made from recycled material can be found on the online Etsy shop, StormWashed
Only one clip per bin is needed. Clips cannot be delivered by the Council. Watch our video below or read our FAQs
Can I not use a bungee cord or rope to keep my bin in place or to keep the lid down?
No - the untying of ropes, cords and bungees adds additional time to the route, which may mean that we can’t get all of the route completed. We’ve also had staff experience facial injuries caused by bungee cords, with near misses to their eyes. If you think the bin might move or fall over, consider whether it’s too light and doesn’t need to go out, or try some of the suggestions we’ve described in more detail above – ie place a reasonable weight on the top (no heavier than 2kg), use electrical tape on the lid, or purchase one of the clips described above and at www.orkney.gov.uk/binclips.
