Aussie’s angry bin note sparks debate over neighbourhood 'scabs'

"This is such a w*nker attitude to take," one person insisted. Does it bother you this much? 

Over the years it’s been around, Return and Earn schemes have only grown in popularity, boasting the perfect solution for doing something good for the environment, whilst also making some money.

However, as the cost of living crisis has worsened, some have been taking it to the next level as more of a side hustle, nabbing bottles and cans from the bins of others.

But, according to some Melbourne residents, it’s officially gone too far.

Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this.

This frustrated message has people divided. Image: Reddit.

RELATED: Man’s supermarket checkout act divides Aussies

‘This bothers me IMMENSELY’

This week, a Melbourne local took to Reddit, posting a photo of a message scrawled on the top of a yellow bin lid.

“10c WARRIORS F*CK OFF,” the note began.

“ALL CANS + BOTTLES HAVE BEEN RECYCLED + I HAVE BEEN OFF THE PISS!”

“I can relate to this,” the poster added.

Commenters on the post were immediately on the poster’s side, expressing continued frustration around people rifling through their bins for cans and bottles.

“The idea of someone rifling through my bin gives me the creeps,” one commenter said.

“If they’re going to leave a mess then that’s even worse.”

“There's a dude that comes past my block of flats and doesn't just go through the recycling bins but also the rubbish bins. Will break open rubbish bags to go through them. As a woman of child bearing age, this bothers me IMMENSELY, because used period care products go in my rubbish bin,” another added.

“That is mint, I had to tell them to shove off the other week,” said a third.

Introducing our new podcast: Mum Club! Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

RELATED: The unlikely place where people are nabbing the best bargains

Others expressed more specific complaints around the noise it makes, particularly if done during the night.

“I don’t care if people go through my bins, just not at 2am being loud af with their rattling trailer causing all the dogs to bark and wake up my baby,” said one commenter.

“I went out and told them to bugger off one night and copped some foul abuse.”

“I have no problem people going through our bins, it's the f*cking loud c**ts at 4am that do it that piss me off,” added another.

Is there a solution?

For every negative comment, there was a positive one, sympathising with those doing it tough enough to use this method as a source of income.

“I thought it was weird when people did it to mine at first but then I thought maybe they really need it and I adjusted my thoughts,” one said.

“This is such a wanker attitude to take. People doing it right enough to to through your bins face enough shit without this sort of harassment,” added another, criticising the initial message.

Others offered solutions to the problem, suggesting that people separate recyclables themselves to reduce the noise.

“A couple of weeks ago we just started leaving ours out in a crate on bin night next to our bins - nobody has ever left a mess, and we’re happy for someone else to make a few bucks out of a scheme that we’re happy about and for them to not have to dig through our rubbish to do it,” said one commenter.

“Oh if they did it in my neighbourhood I'd leave them out in a crate. I can understand being annoyed if they leave a mess or noisy in the night. But you've inspired me to throw the 10c items in a milk crate and see if I can find any collectors. It's the most effective recycling system we've had in Vic in my lifetime. Win-win,” another concluded.

Originally published as Aussie’s angry bin note sparks debate over neighbourhood 'scabs'