Warning campaign about the risks of sleeping in dumpsters

A new initiative is drawing attention to the dangers of using bins as temporary shelters as temperatures drop this winter. Grundon Waste Management has partnered with the homelessness charity Crisis to educate the public on the hazards associated with this practice.

The company, with facilities in Banbury and Wallingford in Oxfordshire and Beenham in Berkshire, reported that one of its drivers discovered a man sleeping inside a bin last December.

David Goodwin, a driver based in Banbury, recalled the incident: "The bin felt unusually heavy, and upon closer inspection, I realized someone was inside. As trained drivers, we are taught to be alert for anything out of the ordinary, and this was one of those moments where instinct kicks in." He added, "Thankfully, the man was shaken but unharmed. He mentioned that he used to rely on the noise of diesel engines to warn him of approaching vehicles, but because I was driving an electric truck, he didnt hear me coming."

Reg Hodson, Grundon's head of safety, health, environment, and quality, noted that with the increasing prevalence of quieter electric vehicles, staff need to exercise even greater caution. Signs that a bin may be occupied include broken locks, scattered trash, or personal items left nearby.

Francesca Albanese, executive director of policy and social change at Crisis, commented: "It is heartbreaking to witness more people being forced to sleep on the streets. In an effort to protect themselves from the cold and remain unseen, some individuals turn to unsafe spaces like bins. We are glad to collaborate with Grundon on this campaign, aiming to prevent harm and raise awareness of these risks."

Author: Aiden Foster