'I'm a binman and there's a major reason we don't usually go out when it snows'

A binman has explained the reason rubbish isn't always collected when it's snowing – and it's not because workers can't be bothered.

In the comments section of a previous social media video, someone had written that binmen are an "absolute disgrace" if they wouldn't go out in the snow. They said: "A bit of snow forecast and [the] council cancel emptying bins. God help them if [they] lived in Sweden".

TikToker @theno1.binman explained that the fact is, we don't live in Sweden, and "that's the point". He shared: "We don't have that much snow here. I've only had snow here maybe every other year. So why would you spend all the money for equipment to deal with snow when it happens probably one week every two years?"

The binman said that the council would "have to pay for people's boots, the tyres," noting that "everything has to change" just for a couple of weeks in each year.

He added that the bin lorries "hate the cold anyway" and sometimes just stop working altogether when it gets too chilly. However, they do start working "when they warm up" again. He joked: "[It's] until they fancy it."

The refuse collector continued: "In Sweden, they probably have a lot more snow and a plan for the snow, because they probably have it more than one week in a year.

"So, it makes absolutely no sense. There's no point wasting money on stuff you're gonna use once every hundred weeks. Come on! Think about it."

He ended the video by throwing his hands up in the air in frustration – and people could see his point.

In the comments, someone wrote: "Sweden probably has vehicles made for their weather, unlike ours".

Another asked: "What’s their problem? It will get done as soon as they are available to get out."

And a fellow binman penned: "Yep, I agree, a bit of cold and all the buttons freeze up and takes forever to unfreeze normally at the end of the round!"

Somebody also took the time to praise binmen, writing: "Whatever the weather, my bin has been collected. During holiday times, the day may change, and they're still collected. You bin men do a job that these moaning people wouldn't do!!"