Brimbank Bin Hire
By Brimbank Bin Hire - September 2026
Hiring a skip bin means paying for a specific amount of waste removal for your home, business or building project. The last thing you want is to discover that someone else has been using your bin and filling it with their rubbish.
Unfortunately, an unattended skip bin can sometimes look like an easy place for people to get rid of unwanted items. A neighbour may have a few bags of rubbish, someone cleaning out a garage may see an empty bin, or people passing by may simply assume that anything in the bin is available for use.
If other people fill your skip bin, you may run out of space before your own clean up is finished. You could also end up with waste that you did not put there, including materials that your skip bin provider does not accept.
There are several simple things you can do to reduce the chance of this happening.
Put Your Skip Bin on Private Property
The location of your skip bin can make a big difference.
If possible, place the bin inside your property rather than on the nature strip or road. A bin sitting in an open and easily accessible location is much more likely to attract unwanted rubbish.
A driveway, side access or other suitable area inside your property can make it harder for people to access the bin without permission.
You should still make sure the delivery truck has enough room to safely deliver and collect the bin.
Make It Clear That the Bin Is Not Public
People do not always realise that a skip bin has been hired for a particular property.
A simple sign saying PRIVATE SKIP BIN or DO NOT USE can make your intentions clear. You can also add a phone number or other contact information if you want people to know who the bin belongs to.
A sign will not physically stop someone from using the bin, but it can prevent genuine misunderstandings.
Talk to Your Neighbours
If you are having a skip bin delivered for a renovation or large clean up, it can be worth letting your immediate neighbours know.
A quick conversation can prevent someone from assuming that the bin is available for general use. It also gives you an opportunity to explain how long the bin will be there.
Most neighbours will respect the fact that you have paid for the bin once they understand that it is being used for your own project.
Keep the Bin Away From Easy Public Access
Think about how someone would approach the bin if they wanted to put something inside it.
If the bin is directly beside a footpath, near a busy road or in another location where people can easily walk up to it, there is a greater opportunity for unwanted dumping.
Where practical, positioning the bin further inside the property can make access more difficult.
This is particularly useful if you are hiring the bin for several days and will not be watching it all the time.
Consider a Temporary Barrier
For some properties, a temporary barrier can provide another level of protection.
A temporary fence, gate or other suitable barrier can make it difficult for people to reach the bin. This can be especially useful on building sites or properties where the bin is being used for a longer project.
The barrier must not prevent the skip bin truck from safely accessing the bin when it is time for delivery or collection.
Be Careful With Covers and Tarps
Some people consider covering a skip bin when they are not using it. This can make it less convenient for someone to throw rubbish inside.
However, covers, ropes and other materials can interfere with collection equipment or create safety problems.
The safest approach is to ask your bin hire company what they recommend for your particular bin.
Keep Your Skip Bin Hire Period as Short as Practical
The longer a skip bin sits outside your property, the more opportunity there is for someone to use it.
If your clean up can be completed quickly, arranging delivery close to the start of the job and collection soon after you finish can reduce the amount of time the bin is sitting unattended.
There is also little benefit in having an empty skip bin sitting outside your property for several extra days.
If your project is delayed, speak to your skip bin provider rather than assuming the bin can remain there indefinitely.
What If Someone Has Already Put Rubbish in Your Bin?
If you discover that someone has used your skip bin, take a photograph of the rubbish before doing anything else.
If you know who put it there, you can ask them to remove it. If you do not know who was responsible, do not put yourself at risk by confronting strangers.
You should also contact your skip bin provider as soon as possible if the additional rubbish could affect the type, weight or volume of the load.
It is particularly important to check the rubbish if you notice items such as paint, chemicals, gas bottles, asbestos, tyres or other materials that may require special handling.
Can You Lock a Skip Bin?
Some customers ask whether they can lock their skip bin to stop other people from using it.
This depends on the type of bin and how it is collected. A lock or other obstruction may interfere with the way the bin is lifted or emptied, so you should always speak to us first.
Do not attach anything to the bin that could create a hazard for the driver or prevent the bin from being safely collected.
What Happens if Your Skip Bin Gets Filled by Someone Else?
This is one of the main reasons it is worth protecting your bin.
When you hire a skip bin, you are paying for the removal of waste from your project. If someone else fills the bin, you may have less room for your own rubbish and could need another bin or additional collection.
You may also have no idea what the other person has put inside. A few bags of household rubbish may not seem like a problem, but heavier materials or prohibited waste can create a much bigger issue.
If you notice unwanted rubbish in your bin, contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss what has happened and what needs to be done.
The Best Way to Stop Unwanted Rubbish
The simplest solution is to make your skip bin difficult to access.
Where possible, keep it on private property, make it clear that it is not a public bin, speak to nearby neighbours and consider a temporary barrier if the bin will be there for an extended period.
You have hired the skip bin to deal with your own waste. Taking a few simple precautions can help make sure there is enough room left for the rubbish you actually need to remove.
How Can We Help You?
We can help you choose the right skip bin for your clean up and advise you on suitable placement.
If you are concerned about other people using your bin, let us know when you book. We can discuss the best location for delivery based on your property, access and the type of work you are doing.
Give us a call on 03 9335 0688.
