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
Why the issue with putting more than a 2kg weight on my bin lid – I can lift heavier stones onto my bin just fine – why can’t the crews manage it?
Remember, you are lifting one stone – our crews could be lifting 200 to 300 on a route.
On a windy day crews have a hard time emptying bins, with bin lids blowing up and hitting them in the face, bracing the bin against the wind and attempting to stay upright whilst moving over uneven verges. Emptying 200 – 300 bins every day is a lot of pushing and pulling, even on a calm day. Anything that you can do to help out and minimise the risk to them is much appreciated.
