Frozen bin lid request from West Berkshire Council sparks social media debate

A request from West Berkshire Council for residents to free their bin lids which might freeze over in the cold weather has sparked hilarity on social media.

The Newbury and Thatcham Moaners and Debaters Facebook page lit up with comments after the council posted a notice saying garden waste in green wheelie bins could become frozen to the sides which may prevent the contents emptying out.

Comments ranged from: “Can they please put the bins back where they got them, not blocking the pavement or swapping them with your neighbours. (Moan over).”

Another responded saying: “Preferably they should also make sure they actually put all the rubbish on their truck and not on the road.”

But others leapt to the defence of the bin teams.

“Surely this request is not a huge one?" said one person. "I am sure each person that does it will be appreciated and those who don’t will still get their bins emptied by these dedicated people who work in conditions I am exceptionally grateful I don’t have to.”

Others were more practical, with one saying she was too short to "loosen any frozen garden waste" with someone else suggesting the use of a stick between the lid and the body of the bin might be helpful".

There was a very popular suggestion that someone should search Amazon for wheelie bin warmers.