As bin collections reduce, our wheelie bins are becoming increasingly smelly, rancid and moist with rotting waste, causing residue, leaks and spillages, flies and maggots over time. The ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.
Studies have found that swabbing the average toilet seat gives a swab containing 500 bacteria in comparison to a a similar swab for a fortnightly bin collection which contains 240 million bacteria. Of which these bacteria can then multiply a further 5 times in one week.
A Bacteria Breeding Ground
There has been an ample amount of research highlighting the high levels of bacteria, some even potentially lethal, that grow within our bins.
Although, it is almost a given that wheelie bins are one of the biggest breeding grounds for bacteria, research shows they host some of the most common ‘multidrug-resistant bacteria’ or ‘super bugs’ generally found in hospitals. Antibiotic resistant bugs such as Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), Clostridium difficile (C.diff) and Listeriosis. All of which can cause people to become seriously ill with potentially Gastroenteritis, Septicaemia and even Meningitis. These types of bacteria are particularly dangerous for people with lower immune systems, pregnant women, elderly and new-born babies.
Not only do we need to be aware of bacterial spores but also fungal spores that float through the air. These spores are repeatedly known to result in a range of problems such as Systemic Candidiasis, thrush and respiratory symptoms from asthma to bronchial symptoms and diseases which have been known to be fatal.
What Causes A Wheelie Bin to Get So Dirty?
There are various reasons your bins get so dirty:
Damaged bin bags
What you put your waste into prior to your wheelie bin is important. Bags that are too small, over full or thin recurrently break resulting in leaks and spillages into your wheelie bin directly. This then leads to a small amount of water at the bottom of your bin ideal for bacteria to grow.
The items that are thrown away
Food waste for instance firstly if loose is going to compose and begin to rot, particularly when the temperature is high. A suggestion to avoid this would be to place the waste into a bag or ideally use a compost bin or designated food waste bin. Additionally, if appropriate washing containers before placing these into your bin to reduce the amount that is decomposing in your bin, such as no recyclable containers.
Keep Your Bin Clean & Tidy with Wheelie Bin Storage
Although wheelie bins are extremely useful and practical; as we have previously read, they can cause various problems as well as becoming a potentially foul-smelling monstrosity. With the right wheelie bin shed, you can keep your front drive or back garden looking neat and organised as well as various other benefits:
Hiding unpleasant wheelie bins
As we know wheelie bins are often standardised and can become dirty inside and out. These can become an eyesore for various homes irrelevant of where they are stored. With a wheelie bin shed you can create a more aesthetically pleasing area.
Discourage animal visitors
Wheelie bin storage units come with full 360 cover and occasionally have slanted lids. This is another protection layer from creatures such as squirrels, rats and even foxes. With the all-round protection and slant this can prevent the animals from sitting on your bins and delving in, hunting for their next meal.
Mask foul odours
If your wheelie bin does become malodorous, wheelie bin sheds are the ideal layer to mask smells. Becoming another layer for any foul smells to seep through making the air around the bins more pleasant.
Prevent wind topples bins
Wheelie bin stores are often made from heavy duty wood. This further protects the streets and the exterior of your house from bins falling over as a result of high winds or even pranksters kicking the bin. Further preventing your rubbish being thrown onto the floor and essentially littering.
Deterrent to theft
Lastly, wheelie bin sheds can be locked and therefore deter people from stealing your bin which from some councils can cost up to £20 to replace.