Water Butts for free?

HedgehogRescue · #1 (**permalink**) 22-05-2010, 11:00 AM

Just been talking to a chap who phoned his local Council to ask what they do with damaged wheelie bins and if there was any chance he could have some. They were delighted to let him have 3, they even delivered them.

Apparently they have to pay to dispose of them so are more than happy to get rid of them in other ways. Most of the damage is wheels missing but if you use these as water butts you don't want the wheels.

As long as the bin isn't cracked it's easy to drill a hole for a tap, you can stand them next to each other neatly, chain them and if they still have their lid the water stays clean.

Given the price of new water butts, if your Council will play ball, this could save a fortune.

Good luck.

posie · #2 (**permalink**) 22-05-2010, 12:45 PM

..Wonderful information HR , thankyou. would just add that if the only damage is wheels and the lids still fit properly, they are very useful for keeping livestock food and bird food in, safe from mice etc. have had rats chew their way into poor quality plastic dustbins, but wheelie-bins are made of sturdier stuff so should keep rats out as well.....Posie..

mrbright · #3 (**permalink**) 22-05-2010, 05:03 PM

brilliant idea, my first call monday am...

TALLYHO · #4 (**permalink**) 25-05-2010, 05:43 PM

Even when cracked these bins are readily reparable to a watertight condition with Poly adhesive, which should be available from most hardware stores.

posie · #5 (**permalink**) 26-05-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TALLYHO

Even when cracked these bins are readily reparable to a watertight condition with Poly adhesive, which should be available from most hardware stores.

Yes of course...didn't think of that.

..Thanks TALLYHO...

Dutchess · #6 (**permalink**) 26-05-2010, 12:52 PM

What a brilliant idea! I shall have to get in touch with my local council about that

Cheers!

D.

snowdrop · #7 (**permalink**) 26-05-2010, 06:46 PM

Ooooooo, what clever people we have on here. I'm going to get in touch with my council in the morning. Cheers everyone!

Fauna · #8 (**permalink**) 27-05-2010, 09:35 AM

Just got of the phone to my council, which is Caerphilly by the way. I asked if they offered this "service", the woman on the other side of the phone thought this was a great idea. Butt sadly its not to be, apparently they all go off to be recycled by other means.

Though, who knows, they might think about it in the future...especially if a few local "Wabbers" phoned in with the same query

HedgehogRescue · #9 (**permalink**) 27-05-2010, 10:02 AM

I'd double check that if I were you. I was told that the older ones can't be recycled, it's only the new black, green and brown ones. But your Council are nuts anyway. They're all on a money saving kick and they pay to have those taken away and recycled. Even if they sold them off for a couple of pounds each or charged £5 for delivery they could make money rather than spend it. I'd have a word with your local council rep.

lilylove · #10 (**permalink**) 30-05-2010, 06:59 AM

Marvellous idea - I have a cracked bin so will polyseal it as suggested. Our local council will come and take away broken ones but then charge you 25 quid for a replacement

!! As it's generally the bin men or the lorry that break the bins, there is a big rumpus going on here at the moment being fought out in the pages of our local newspaper. Herts County Council - hang your heads in shame