Is your neighbour doing this? The petty act that’s sparking outrage online!

Even seemingly mundane aspects of daily life can sometimes lead to considerable debate within local communities. 

A recent incident in an Australian residential area has revealed differing views on what constitutes appropriate neighbourly conduct, sparking widespread discussion.

For most of us, putting the bins out is just another item on the never-ending to-do list. But what happens when a simple household chore turns into a neighbourhood standoff? 

That’s exactly what’s happening in one Canberra suburb, where a mum’s bin drama has divided the internet and sparked a heated debate about ‘bin etiquette’.

A bin blockade: when neighbours get petty

Maddie Richens, a busy mum of three (including a newborn), recently shared her frustration after returning home to find her wheelie bins blocking her driveway—again. 

But this wasn’t the work of a rogue garbage truck. Instead, Maddie suspects a neighbour is deliberately moving her bins halfway up her drive, making it difficult for her to park or even get into her home.

‘Someone blocks my driveway with my bins instead of bringing them up all the way to where my other bins are, or just off the side on my driveway,’ Maddie explained. 

‘It feels pretty petty and intentional, which is pretty disappointing. They have done this a few times and it always makes getting home harder.’

For Maddie, who admits she’s ‘an overwhelmed mum with a newborn and two more kids’, the last thing she needs after a long day is a bin blockade. 

‘I don’t get a lot of sleep, constantly in a state of stress and anxiety of making sure I do everything I need to do. This is the last thing I need to arrive home to,’ she said.

The great bin debate: Who’s in the right?

After Maddie shared her story online, the comments section lit up with opinions. Some Aussies were quick to sympathise, calling the neighbour’s actions ‘unnecessary’ and ‘annoying’. One commenter even suggested Maddie should ‘put them back on the street’ to make a point.

But not everyone was on her side. Others argued that leaving bins out after collection day is the real problem, calling it ‘poor bin etiquette’. 

As one person put it: ‘In the time you took to go on social media and write the post, you could have taken in the bins.’

What’s the official word on bin etiquette?

While there’s no national law about when you have to bring your bins in, most local councils encourage residents to remove them from the kerb as soon as possible after collection. 

The reasons? Bins left out can block footpaths, create hazards for pedestrians (especially those with prams or mobility aids), and even attract litter or vandalism.

Some councils are taking the issue seriously. In Adelaide’s Port Adelaide Enfield council area, residents were warned last year they could face a $312 fine if their bins weren’t removed by midnight the day after collection.

Reminder letters were sent to repeat offenders, and the council said the move was about keeping streets safe and tidy.

The bins allegedly moved halfway up the driveway. Image source:  Maddie Richens / Facebook

Why do bins cause so much drama?

It might seem silly, but bins are a surprisingly common source of neighbourhood tension. For some, it’s about pride in keeping the street looking neat. 

For others, it’s about not wanting to do more than their fair share, especially if they feel like they’re always moving someone else’s bins.

And then there’s the ‘petty’ factor. Small acts, like moving a neighbour’s bin just enough to be annoying, can sometimes be a passive-aggressive way of sending a message, without ever having to say a word.

Tips for bin harmony in your neighbourhood

Bring your bins in promptly: It’s a small thing, but it keeps the street clear and your neighbours happy.

If you’re struggling, ask for help: If you’re unwell, have mobility issues, or are just overwhelmed (like Maddie), don’t be afraid to ask a neighbour for a hand.

Don’t sweat the small stuff: If a neighbour leaves their bin out a little longer than usual, try to be understanding. Life gets busy!

Communicate: If someone’s bin habits are bothering you, a friendly chat can go a long way—better than a passive-aggressive bin blockade.

Have you had a bin battle?

We want to hear from you! Have you ever had a run-in with a neighbour over bins? Do you think leaving bins out is a big deal, or is it just part of busy modern life? Share your stories and tips in the comments below.

And remember, a little kindness (and maybe a helping hand with the bins) can go a long way towards keeping the peace in your street.

Also read: ‘This is how we know’: Garbage collector reveals surprising way your bins are being tracked

Don Turrobia
Don Turrobia
Don is a travel writer and digital nomad who shares his expertise in travel and tech. When he is not typing away on his laptop, he is enjoying the beach or exploring the outdoors.

5 COMMENTS

  1. The photo at the top of this article puzzles me as our Regional Council requires the bins to be spaced about a metre apart to make it easier for the garbo truck to pick them up.

  2. I had a problem with one of the neighbours having pruned one of his shrubs and he couldn’t fit all the cuttings in his own bin so he did the rounds and dumped pieces of cuttings into three other neighbours bins and filled them to overflowing!

  3. The article does not state whether the Bin was Moved on the collection day, the day after.
    Therefore not knowing the timeframe from Bin collection to Bin movement I cannot make an informed comment.
    Our Bins are collected on Thursdays. If I notice a neighbors Bin still at the curb on Friday Evening or Saturday Morning, I will move it onto their Property, in a location that they can see it, but not in a location that would Block the Driveway !!

  4. Bins are to be left on the nature strip close to the kerb, not in the road way, at least wherever I have lived. That’s why they are called kerbside bins. and yes the lid says 1 metre apart as David said above. I notice dyslexia is rife in some households.

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