Binmen could leave your rubbish behind on collection day if they spot this (Image: Getty)
A binman claims that people who try to hide an item commonly found in many UK homes in the bin on collection day could have their rubbish left on the kerbside. He explained all on social media in a recent post.
There are several ways to properly dispose of an old carpet or rug, says Ashley, who goes by @Theno1.binman on TikTok. He said: “Carpets? You do not put them in the bin. They are too big. They are a bulky item, so you do not put carpets in any of your household bins.”
Why can’t carpets go in the bin?
Carpets cannot go in regular household bins because they are bulky, heavy, non-biodegradable, and difficult to process, which creates issues at landfills and recycling facilities. They are considered specialised waste, and putting them in domestic bins can lead to non-collection or fines.
Most carpets are made of synthetic fibres like nylon or polypropylene. These do not break down in landfills and can take hundreds of years to fully decompose.
These rules generally apply to rugs for the same reasons. Small rugs might be acceptable in some areas as general waste if cut up, but many councils explicitly list them as items that cannot go in standard black bins.
How to get rid of old or unwanted carpets
People who want to get rid of any scrap carpet have a few options that won’t upset the local binmen. However, some do involve paying a fee, and others will be free – providing you can transport the carpet yourself.
Ashley said one way to get an old carpet off your hands is to contact the local authority and arrange a bulky waste collection. Depending on where you live, this could cost a fee, and collection will depend on council availability.
If people have old carpet due to new flooring being fitted, it is worth checking if companies who are doing the install will tak eit away as well. However, this service usually involves a charge too.
There are a few free ways to offload an old carpet. Firstly, homeowners could take the carpet to their local recycling centre and look for the bulky goods area. Check with the council first, usually via the website, to make sure where you should take it.
If the carpet is in good condition, you could consider selling it online using local Facebook groups or Marketplace. Local animal rescue centres often accept old carpet donations too, as they use it for insulation to keep animals warm.
What other bin ‘rules’ are there?
People may be surprised to know that there are actually quite a few ‘banned’ items that could leave them in trouble with the local binmen. For example, crisp packets may seem confusing as the snacks come in bags that claim to be recyclable, but not for people throwing them away at home.
In a previous video, Ashley explained: “A crisp packet can be recycled, but you need to take it [to a supermarket]. Most supermarkets take them. I know that means going to the supermarket with empty crisp packets to put them in their bins, but if you’re asking the question of where they get recycled, that is where.
“Otherwise, you can put them in your general waste bin and they will get collected there. If you’re looking to recycle crisp packets, then it goes in the bins in the supermarket. It’s the same for chocolate wrappers, because it’s such a thin plastic and made from different materials.”