Global shortage of wheelie bins means homes must share

Londoners are being asked to share their wheelie bins with neighbours because of a worldwide shortage.

Council bosses blame unprecedented demand from across Europe, especially in Germany, for the dearth of bins in the capital. German manufacturers dominate the wheelie bin market.

The shortage is affecting both ordinary black bins and the green bins used to store waste destined for recycling. Today Lewisham became the first London borough to ask residents to share until stocks are replenished.

Susan Wise, cabinet member for customer services, said: "We are asking residents who have requested a new bin to bear with us until we receive the stock that is on order.

"I know that Lewisham residents are very keen to increase their recycling, and to address this, the council is introducing interim arrangements until the [shortage] is resolved in a few months. If your neighbour has a recycling bin, could you ask them if they would share it with you until yours is delivered?"

The council is also planning to distribute clear plastic sacks for recycling waste.

The London Government Association said demand in Germany, where most of Europe's wheelie bins are produced, had soared.

"The German government stipulated recently that every home had to have a separate bin for paper recycling, which overnight meant 40 million extra bins," said a spokesman.

A surge in demand for recycling in countriesincluding Poland and Estonia has added to the problem. Robert Bull, managing director of supply company wheeliebins.com, said: "It is an absolute nightmare at the moment because we are not getting any through. It's been getting steadily worse since May. Supply has come to a virtual standstill even for us - and we are supposed to be priority customers.

"Factories are working on full production but the bins are being diverted to eastern Europe, where recycling campaigns are being set up."

A standard 240-litre bin costs up to £100. London Councils, which represents local authorities, said the problem was expected to affect every borough.

The shortage has already hit other parts of Britain. In Derbyshire thousands of residents have been instructed to stack black rubbish bags in their gardens, while new homeowners in Lancashire face a wait of up to eight months for a bin.

There has also been an increase in thefts. Last month, the Evening Standard reported how almost 500 bins have gone missing in Barnet alone since January last year. The council asks victims to pay £50 for a replacement bin.