Scientists study dangers of desperate people sleeping in BINS in Milton Keynes

Researchers from the Open University in Milton Keynes are calling for a national approach to end rough sleeping in bins
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They say growing numbers of rough sleepers have given rise to desperate people taking shelter in bins and skips.

Now OU environmental researcher Dr Toni Gladding is urging waste producers, homelessness services and waste operators to help put a stop to this life-threatening practice.

She published a report called ‘Research into the issues associated with people sleeping in waste containers’, which assesses the scale of the problem, reviews industry practices and makes recommendations to address the issue.

Nationally there have been seven deaths from people sleeping in binsNationally there have been seven deaths from people sleeping in bins
Nationally there have been seven deaths from people sleeping in bins

The report was commissioned by waste management company Biffa.

Dr Gladding and her colleague Dr Catherine Rolph, a Research Associate at the OU, surveyed operators in the waste sector.

They found 35 per cent of waste companies discovered people sleeping in bins within the last 12 months. This compared to 21 per cent in 2014

Only 40 per cent of commercial bins in use are fitted with working locks, which is the same as in 2014 despite industry guidelines

Dr Gladding said people are discovered taking shelter in bins all year round – this is not just a winter problem

Nationally here have been seven known fatalities in the past five years from people sleeping in bins.

Dr Gladding said: “This new research shows that people sleeping in bins remains an issue of real concern, and there have been several fatalities in the past few years.

“Once people enter a bin to sleep the risk of harm is a real possibility. There needs to be a nationally agreed approach to this issue which will likely consist of a partnership between the customer who is the waste producer, homelessness services and the waste operator to help prevent these tragic incidences.”

She is now asking for a collaborative approach involving waste companies, waste producers - particularly those operating in town centres - homeless charities and the general public is crucial to save lives and prevent risk of serious injury. This new approach includes several key recommendations:

She said waste companies should ensure their bins are secure and inaccessible, either fitted with locks or held in a locked area, and danger stickersto suit a range of languages and reading abilities should be placed on them.

Processes to be in place at waste management businesses to report when people are discovered in bins and homelessness charities should be contacted.

Michael Topham, chief executive of Biffa, said: "“Urgent action is required now to raise awareness of the dangers of seeking shelter in bins. This new research highlights the need not only for the waste industry to take more responsibility for its own practices, but crucially for it to work with its customers to help tackle the issue. We are committed to leading this approach to promote policies and procedures for widespread adoption to prevent further tragedies. We hope this report highlights the issues that we all need to address and acts as a call to action.”

Trevor Nicoll, president of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, said: “Continuing to raise awareness and share good operational practice is essential to help prevent people sleeping in bins. As the professional body for the sector, we are very pleased to be involved as a partner with Biffa and The Open University in this useful research. We hope it is the start of further work to reduce the risks associated with people sleeping in bins and strengthen collaborative working with homeless charities.”

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