As the cost-of-living crisis grips Australia, many Aussies have turned to unconventional methods to make ends meet.

Among these methods is a growing trend that has sparked controversy on the streets.

The recent 'return and earn' initiative offers 10 cents back for eligible cans, bottles, or cartons returned for recycling.

It's a simple act of recycling that could benefit the environment and give a small financial incentive to diligent homeowners.

However, this harmless program escalated tensions in several neighbourhoods.

Bin scavengers, often called the '10c warriors', have been diving into other people's bins in search of recyclable treasures.

Some homeowners wrote notes on their bins as an attempt to intimidate bin scavengers. Image Credit: Facebook/The Bell Tower Times

In response, some residents started leaving stern and expletive-laden notes on their yellow recycling bins.

'Keep your hands off my f****** bins', one homeowner wrote on one of their bins.

'All cans and bottles have been recycled, and I have been off the p***!' another exclaimed.

Some saw no harm in letting others sift through discarded recyclables.

'So long as they are not hurting you or the bin or making a mess, what harm does it do?' one asked.

Some also took the time to separate their eligible 'return and earn' waste, helping bin scavengers in the process.

On the other side, some found the idea of strangers digging through their bins unsettling and invasive.

'It should be banned. I get people are finding it hard, but it's getting out of control,' another homeowner pointed out.

Another called the act of bin scavenging 'revolting'.

To address the ongoing issue, a council along the Sunshine Coast recently installed separate units in public bins.

This allows homeowners to dispose of 'return and earn' containers separately from general rubbish.

The initiative should reduce scavenging and rummaging through potentially unsanitary rubbish.

Community members praised the council's initiative for its simplicity and effectiveness.

Andrew Hill from The Salvation Army noted scavenging has been common since the government's financial incentive drives it.

In times of financial hardship, people resort to all available measures to afford necessities.

The situation raised questions about the broader implications of poverty and the lengths people can go to just to survive challenging situations.

Key Takeaways

• The recent 'return and earn' recycling schemes have led to people rummaging through others' bins for cash.
• Some residents started becoming frustrated with strangers searching through their bins and have left aggressive messages on their bins to deter any '10c warriors'.
• Some Australians saw no harm in letting others search bins, while others found it invasive and unpleasant.
• A council on the Sunshine Coast recently implemented a solution by installing separate units for eligible 'return and earn' items, reducing the need for rummaging.

Have you noticed an increase in '10c warriors' in your area? What do you think about this scavenging issue? Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments section below.

 

[glennkidd]

Once your bin is out on the street, and on public property, it's fair game.

 

[Benny's Light]

I have noticed people going through our bins to collect items that they can cash-in. I feel sorry for some of the ones who are struggling trying to get a little extra money. The ones who do this in our neighbourhood do this early in the morning and during the evening, and unless you see them you would not know that this has happened. I would object though if they left a mess with spilled bins over the street. It is about being respectful of others.

 

[Nevertiki]

My yellow recycling bin has nothing to interest a bin warrior but if it does they’re welcome to have it — so long as they don’t ADD their rubbish to mine.

My green general bin sometimes has fast-food crap tossed in by passers-by which is NOT welcome because I have to clean up the bin.

 

[GillyH]

I have noticed people going through our bins to collect items that they can cash-in. I feel sorry for some of the ones who are struggling trying to get a little extra money. The ones who do this in our neighbourhood do this early in the morning and during the evening, and unless you see them you would not know that this has happened. I would object though if they left a mess with spilled bins over the street. It is about being respectful of others.

Unfortunately early in the morning they make alot of racket!

 

[Mr Chips]

As long as they don't create a mess or leave the lid open I cannot see any harm. A few years ago, I came across an older gentleman going through our bins and stopped to chat. He was trying to supplement his pension for whatever reason and he seemed to have a good setup with his pushbike being the mule. He had two massive plastic bags, one for glass and one for cans which he dutifully crushed and he said that when one of the bags became full he would go to the appropriate recycling centre and get his money. He said it would take him several hours to fill a bag. I don't remember how much he said he got for the recycled items but it was not much. I was very sad to hear his full story, his wife was very ill and he needed extra money for that. I offered him some cash that I had in my wallet but to my amazement, he would not take it as he felt that he did not deserve or require any charity and thanked me for the thought. I went away a little dismayed about the situation and praised the fortitude and determination of Australians in need.

 

[tekkac]

What's the big deal ?

 

[Veggiepatch]

Living in a 29 story apartment complex, these "10 cent warriors" would have a field day! Our recycle bins are emptied twice a week but there's one catch. The bins are kept in a gated compound on collection day, about 30 metres off the street and nobody would even know it was there.

 

[Greentrees]

Are people ashamed that they do not bother to recycle & place the correct items in the appropriate bin & they don’t want to be called out? Those who go through bins are doing the country a service by reducing waste.

 

[Veggiepatch]

If I had my own recycling bin, these people would be more than welcome to take whatever they want.

More room for more crap!

 

[Isis]

Imagine being so badly off you have to dig into bins??? After doing that as long as no mess on your nature strip consider it a good deed

 

[Ringdragon]

I already collect my 'Return and Earn' stuff, so none of it is in my yellow bin. If some one goes through my bin they will find nothing. So long as they don't make a mess around my bin, I don't really mind. It's their time they are wasting.

 

[PepeLePew]

I had a polite sign on my recycling bin for a while that stated there was no 'Containers for Change' in my bin as I recycle them myself. The collectors avoided my bin after that.

 

[natalielocket]

I don`t see a problem with people getting bottles and cans from bins. I have often seen people going through rubbish bins in town, and told them where there are some around the street. Saves a lot of cans and bottles going into land waste. Too many people are lazy, and just throw recyclable bottles and cans in general rubbish.

 

[Mary_Again]

I, like many, recycle the few items I have. My problem is people dumping their rubbish in my bins. they don't wrap their rubbish properly, risking damage to my bins so I have to wait until morning to put my bins out, risking missing the pickup if I sleep in. They also put things in the wrong bins, (e.g. plastic and tiling waste in the green bin) which fortunately doesn't attract a fine ... yet! After a number of weeks of this "dumping" I reported it to the local council, who say they can do nothing, and suggested I put my bins out in the morning. So far I haven't missed a pickup, but I've had a few close calls.

 

[Mrtnst]

Once your bin is out on the street, and on public property, it's fair game.

Sorry not correct.

As an investigator for a government agency, I was taught that anything in a roadside bin remains the private property of the householder, until it is mixed in with the general rubbish in a garbage collection vehicle.

If a police officer wants to take evidence from your bin, they require a search warrant first.

Even if your rubbish has been collected, they cannot view the contents of the truck, unless it's been compacted and mixed with other people's rubbish, without a warrant.

So anyone else poking through your bins is, as a minimum, breaching your privacy.