The risks of sleeping in bins
Every year, people experiencing homelessness or people rough sleeping face serious risks as they search for somewhere safe to rest. In some cases, individuals sleep in or around bins and other waste containers, seeking warmth and protection from the weather.
Sleeping in bins can lead to serious injury or even death. This hidden danger affects people from all walks of life – not only those facing homelessness, but also anyone who might seek refuge after a night out or during a moment of crisis.
According to Crisis,
the number of people
sleeping rough across
England is now
91%
higher than it
was in 2021
The growing risk of rough sleeping
As the numbers of people rough sleeping continues to rise, so too does the risk of people sleeping in or around bins in search of shelter.
This video shows a real incident captured during one of our collections. On this occasion, the bin was serviced by an electric vehicle, and thanks to the driver’s thorough safety checks before emptying, the individual inside was unharmed.
Afterwards, the individual noted that as a protective measure, he normally listens for the sound of a diesel engine as a warning, but because this was an electric vehicle, he didn’t hear it approach.
This highlights a new and growing challenge for the waste industry: as we transition to quieter, more sustainable collection vehicles, the need for awareness, vigilance, and preventative action becomes even more critical to keeping people safe.
What you can do to help
Simple actions can help prevent people sleeping in bins or taking shelter in other waste containers.
Things to look out for that may signify there is someone in your waste container are:
- Stacked pallets nearby which may have been used to climb up into the bin
- Personal belongings nearby
- Scattered waste around the bin
- Open lids that are normally closed
- Broken locks either on the bin itself or bin sheds/storage areas
If you see signs of people sheltering in bins, you can contact:
- StreetLink – a national service connecting people sleeping rough with local support.
- Your local homelessness outreach organisation for immediate assistance.
If you are a Grundon customer, please also call our Customer Service Team on 01491 834311. We will alert your local depot and collection team, who will carry out the necessary visual checks before your next collection.
Useful resources
Request form for stickers
Simple actions can help prevent people sleeping in bins, such as placing a warning sticker on your bin.
Request now
“We are tragically seeing more and more people forced to sleep on our streets. Faced with danger and uncertainty, people can seek shelter from the cold and to keep themselves hidden from view for their own safety.
We are pleased to be able to work with Grundon on this campaign, which we hope will keep more people safe from harm. Alongside these important partnerships, we need more support from the national government to help people off the streets and out of homelessness because no one should have to face the trauma and indignity of sleeping rough. This includes building more social homes as quickly as possible and making sure that homelessness prevention services are properly funded.”
Francesca Albanese
Director of Policy and Social Change at Crisis
Why do people sleep in bins or containers?
People facing homelessness or sleeping rough may see bins as sheltered, hidden spaces to stay warm, not realising the extreme danger that comes with this.
How can I tell if someone is sleeping in or around a bin?
You can look for signs, such as personal belongings and bedding near the bin. Also, pallets or stacked items nearby that could have been used to climb in, or scattered waste around bins, especially early in the morning.
What should I do if I think someone is sheltering in or around a bin?
Never attempt to move them yourself. Contact StreetLink or a local homelessness outreach team so they can provide the right help safely.
How can I prevent people from sheltering in my waste containers?
Keep bins secure and well-lit, display awareness signage, and educate your staff on-site.
What happens if someone is in a bin during collection?
If a waste collection takes place while someone is sleeping in a bin, the consequences can be fatal. Most commercial waste collection vehicles use mechanical lifting equipment that empties bins into a vehicle’s compactor. If someone is inside the bin, they can be crushed.
Supporting safer communities, together
If you believe a person is sheltering in a bin, let someone know.
If you are a Grundon customer, please contact our Customer Service Team on 01491 834311. We will make sure your local depot and collection team are informed and take the necessary visual checks before carrying out your next collection.