STOP. CHECK. SAVE. The Importance of Protecting Rough Sleepers

According to Crisis, in 2024 alone, more than 15,000 people slept rough on the streets across England. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently published warnings for businesses and waste collection services to take steps to prevent a “desperate act of survival” from becoming a dangerous risk for people who are homeless and seeking refuge to escape the cold.

Brown Recycling is committed to ensuring the safety of anyone found taking shelter or sleeping in waste containers. We’re also on a mission to raise awareness and guide communities on how to look out for vulnerable individuals and protect them from danger.

In this article, we are going to help you familiarise yourself with the potential risks, what to look out for and the steps you should take if you find any rough sleepers on your premises.

When the weather gets harsh, rough sleepers often look for warmth and shelter in unexpected places. A very common one is large waste containers. These include 660L, 1100L, and FEL (front-end loader) bins, or any container with a lid including skips. If a bin is collected while someone is inside, the consequences can be fatal.

That’s why we’re asking everyone to STOP. CHECK. SAVE.

Risk Factors to Watch Out For

Certain conditions make bins more likely to be used for shelter:

• Bin areas that are out of the way, isolated, dark and easily accessible
• Unsecured lids that are easy to open
• Containers containing dry materials such as cardboard

Why Rough Sleepers Seek Shelter in Bins

During colder months, there is an increase in rough sleepers finding shelter in 660L, 1100L and FEL (front-end loader) bins or any kind of lidded containers.

Spotting rough sleepers in your containers can be easy by looking out for typical signs, which includes:

• Broken locks
• Rubbish scattered on the ground
• Person’s belongings nearby or just outside the container

As the weather gets colder, rough sleepers often seek refuge inside waste containers. Tragically, if a bin is collected while someone is inside, it can lead to fatal injuries. That’s why it’s important to be aware of these 3 signs, especially throughout Winter.

8 Ways to be More Vigilant:

1. Check your bins and skips on a daily basis
2. Check for unusual signs of a person’s presence i.e personal belongings
3. Always open your bin lids and check inside. Kick or shake the bin for any response
4. Avoid storing items such as stacked pallets or boxes near the waste
   containers, as these could be used as steps to get into them
5. Make sure to lock your bins, if you do not have lockable lids, get in touch with your waste management supplier
6. Carry out extra checks in adverse weather conditions
7. Report and record any incidents as soon as they happen
8. STOP.CHECK.SAVE

What to Do If You Find Someone Rough Sleeping

In an emergency, always call 999.

For non-emergencies, contact StreetLink to connect the person with local support service.

Help us keep everyone safe this Winter. For further information on rough sleepers or if you have a rough sleeper on your site, please get in touch with our Customer Support team who will be able to advise on the next steps.