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Rising number of people are sleeping in bins, refuse collectors warn Rising number of people are sleeping in bins, refuse collectors warn
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The refuse collection industry is increasingly concerned about the rising number of people sleeping in dustbins, an unexpected consequence of the rise in rough sleeping, and has issued safety guidance to bin lorry drivers on how to prevent homeless people from being crushed in compaction units.The refuse collection industry is increasingly concerned about the rising number of people sleeping in dustbins, an unexpected consequence of the rise in rough sleeping, and has issued safety guidance to bin lorry drivers on how to prevent homeless people from being crushed in compaction units.
Figures collected by one of the UK’s largest waste management firms, Biffa, reveal that staff discovered 31 people sleeping in bins in 2014, 93 in 2015, and 175 in the current financial year. Across the UK, 11 people have been killed in the past five years because of sleeping in bins, most of them crushed to death, according to the Environmental Services Association (ESA).Figures collected by one of the UK’s largest waste management firms, Biffa, reveal that staff discovered 31 people sleeping in bins in 2014, 93 in 2015, and 175 in the current financial year. Across the UK, 11 people have been killed in the past five years because of sleeping in bins, most of them crushed to death, according to the Environmental Services Association (ESA).
Related: One night on the streets: a portrait of homelessness in Britain
“The more homeless people we get, the more people need to find shelter in waste containers. It is a massive social and economic problem,” Tim Standring, Biffa’s health and safety spokesman, said. “Everyone is acutely aware of the homelessness situation and our drivers are faced with this on a daily basis. It is massive. No organisation wants to be responsible for the injury or death of another person. Every time it happens, it sends a shock wave through the whole industry.”“The more homeless people we get, the more people need to find shelter in waste containers. It is a massive social and economic problem,” Tim Standring, Biffa’s health and safety spokesman, said. “Everyone is acutely aware of the homelessness situation and our drivers are faced with this on a daily basis. It is massive. No organisation wants to be responsible for the injury or death of another person. Every time it happens, it sends a shock wave through the whole industry.”
Large waste recycling bins often may seem attractive places to sleep in desperate circumstances because they offer privacy, as well as protection from the elements. “We’ve all read the stories about homeless people being spat at and kicked. The bins provide security,” Standring said. Drivers with the company have been under instructions to check every bin before they empty it for the past 15 years, and similar “people in container” checks have been recommended across the industry.Large waste recycling bins often may seem attractive places to sleep in desperate circumstances because they offer privacy, as well as protection from the elements. “We’ve all read the stories about homeless people being spat at and kicked. The bins provide security,” Standring said. Drivers with the company have been under instructions to check every bin before they empty it for the past 15 years, and similar “people in container” checks have been recommended across the industry.
“Drivers reach in and try to move waste around, they will knock on the side of the bin, walk around and shout; but they can’t look all the way down to the bottom of the bins,” Standring said. A report conducted by Biffa with the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management found that in more than 40% of reported incidents the individual was not discovered by collection crews until the tipping process began.“Drivers reach in and try to move waste around, they will knock on the side of the bin, walk around and shout; but they can’t look all the way down to the bottom of the bins,” Standring said. A report conducted by Biffa with the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management found that in more than 40% of reported incidents the individual was not discovered by collection crews until the tipping process began.
Related: The Guardian view on rough sleeping: an outrage that was predictable, and predicted | Editorial
“It very distressing for the driver. If someone ends up in the back of the vehicle there is very little chance of escaping unharmed,” the ESA policy adviser, Stephen Freeland, said. Part of the rise in numbers was down to the growth in the paper recycling business in the last decade, which has meant there are more large bins in public areas. “It is becoming more widespread. If you are homeless and have nowhere to go for the night, sleeping in a recycling container with paper and card is a more appealing prospect than seeking refuge in a container with food waste.”“It very distressing for the driver. If someone ends up in the back of the vehicle there is very little chance of escaping unharmed,” the ESA policy adviser, Stephen Freeland, said. Part of the rise in numbers was down to the growth in the paper recycling business in the last decade, which has meant there are more large bins in public areas. “It is becoming more widespread. If you are homeless and have nowhere to go for the night, sleeping in a recycling container with paper and card is a more appealing prospect than seeking refuge in a container with food waste.”
The problem is not restricted to winter months; last year, drivers reported a spike in people sleeping in bins during the warmer spring months, Freeland said. His organisation has begun to work with homelessness charities to “ensure that people are aware of the risks and seek more suitable alternatives than taking refuge in a bin”.The problem is not restricted to winter months; last year, drivers reported a spike in people sleeping in bins during the warmer spring months, Freeland said. His organisation has begun to work with homelessness charities to “ensure that people are aware of the risks and seek more suitable alternatives than taking refuge in a bin”.
Another waste management company, Veolia, has been working with homelessness charities to try to educate people about the potentially fatal consequences of sleeping in dustbins, and has produced a short educational film about the issue. In January, its drivers found two rough sleepers in its waste bins.Another waste management company, Veolia, has been working with homelessness charities to try to educate people about the potentially fatal consequences of sleeping in dustbins, and has produced a short educational film about the issue. In January, its drivers found two rough sleepers in its waste bins.