![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/stop-weighing-your-bin-down-with-heavy-rocks/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/TELEMMGLPICT000314733921_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqkXbkQY4xF11YSbIjVXCcokVNxptx5UW7vmEYYmkQhLY.jpeg&description=Scottish islanders have been told to stop weighing down their bins with heavy rocks when windy as it is too tiring for binmen to lift them off. Orkney Islands Council has banned the 22,000 residents who live in the north-eastern archipelago from using bungee cords and breeze blocks to clamp down the lids during inclement weather. Officials said a number of binmen had received facial injuries from taut bungee cords snapping off and residents can now only use a maximum weight of 2kg, the same as a house brick, to stop the bin from blowing away. Residents have also been encouraged to build protective shelters around their bins "as long as they are not tethered in any way". Irate locals forced a partial rethink The council had initially banned any weight at all being strapped down before a "very angry" response from locals forced them to reach a new compromise. In new guidance to islanders, officials said: "Remember, you are lifting one stone, our crews could be lifting over 100 on a route. "On a windy day crews have a hard time emptying bins under normal circumstances, 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 to 300 bins every day is a lot of pushing and pulling, even on a calm day." James Stockan, leader of the council, said some binmen were faced with up to two stones at a time being placed on bin lids. He said: "We are in the windiest place in the country. We have asked the weight to be no bigger than an ordinary building brick, something you can pick up with your hand. "Something maybe needs to be thought about the design of bins, perhaps a heavier lid that would overcome this issue. But any clip has to have a quick release because the crews need to get around their route in a sensible time." 'If you can't lift 2kg you aren't fit for the job' To illustrate just how ferocious the winds can be, Mr Stockan said a windmill that is "25 per cent){kind=link}
A local council had banned the use of any weight at all before angry residents forced a compromise
Scottish islanders have been told to stop weighing down their bins with heavy rocks when windy as it is too tiring for binmen to lift them off.
Orkney Islands Council has banned the 22,000 residents who live in the north-eastern archipelago from using bungee cords and breeze blocks to clamp down the lids during inclement weather.
Officials said a number of binmen had received facial injuries from taut bungee cords snapping off and residents can now only use a maximum weight of 2kg, the same as a house brick, to stop the bin from blowing away.
Residents have also been encouraged to build protective shelters around their bins “as long as they are not tethered in any way”.