A powerful new safety campaign has been launched to warn of the life-threatening risks facing people who seek shelter inside commercial waste bins.
Gloucestershire waste experts Grundon Waste Management have teamed up with homelessness charity Crisis to highlight a growing but often unseen danger affecting people sleeping rough. Their initiative, The Risks of Sleeping in Bins, provides vital guidance for vulnerable individuals while urging businesses and the public to stay alert to signs that someone may be sheltering inside a waste container.
The campaign has particular relevance in the South West, where Grundon operates from sites in Bishop’s Cleeve near Cheltenham and St Philip’s in Bristol.
It follows a frightening incident in December 2024 involving Grundon driver Dave Goodwin, who noticed that a bin he was about to lift felt unusually heavy. When he investigated, he found a man sleeping inside — moments away from being tipped into the truck.
“As drivers, we are always trained to be alert,” Dave said. “It was a split-second moment when I realised something wasn’t right. I stepped back immediately and was relieved the gentleman was unharmed. He told me he usually listened for a diesel engine, but because my vehicle was electric, he didn’t hear it coming.”
Footage of the near-miss, featured on the campaign’s website, made a deep impact across the company.
Grundon’s Head of SHEQ, Reg Hodson, said: “Dave’s quick reactions prevented a tragedy. But as our industry moves to quieter electric vehicles, these risks increase. We must all be more vigilant.”
The campaign includes brightly coloured bin stickers warning: “Risk to Life. Do not use this bin for sleeping.” It also provides advice on spotting warning signs, such as broken bin locks, scattered rubbish, personal belongings nearby, or pallets used to climb into containers.
Reg added: “We’re asking anyone with waste bins on their premises to carry out regular checks, ensure good lighting, talk to staff, and display warning notices. A few minutes of awareness could save a life.”
Crisis says the campaign comes at a critical time.
Francesca Albanese, Director of Policy and Social Change, said: “We’re tragically seeing rising numbers of people forced to sleep rough. Many seek shelter in hidden places like bins to stay warm or stay out of sight. We are pleased to work with Grundon on a campaign that may prevent further harm — but government action is urgently needed. No one should face the trauma and indignity of sleeping on the streets.”
The campaign advises anyone concerned that someone may be sleeping in or near a bin to contact Streetlink, which connects rough sleepers with local outreach services.
Rough sleeping in England has risen 91% since 2021, and Crisis estimates more than 300,000 people are experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, from street sleeping to living in cars and sheds.
Grundon has an ongoing partnership with Crisis, providing free clinical waste services to its centres during the charity’s annual Crisis at Christmas appeal.