Lock your garbage can - this is how you keep unwanted visitors away

If you own your home or rent out apartments, you've probably heard that garbage cans can be victims of vandalism. Locking your garbage cans can prevent such problems. But there are many other annoyances that make securing your garbage cans important. In this article, we'll discuss when and why locking garbage cans is important and reveal some tips on how to secure them easily.

That's why locking your garbage can makes sense.

To ensure you're well-informed about why securing your garbage can is worthwhile, we'll outline the most important reasons for locking it below. If you've already experienced any of these problems yourself, or if your neighbors report similar incidents, you should take action. Of course, it's also wise to implement preventative measures before the scenarios described below even occur in your home.

Lock the garbage can and protect it from vandalism.

As mentioned earlier, vandalism is a factor you should be aware of. Depending on whether you live in a quiet or more lively area, it can be a good idea to lock your garbage cans. Otherwise, garbage might be stolen or scattered on your property. The cans themselves could also be damaged. Either way, such an incident would cause you a great deal of trouble.

Secure garbage cans against severe weather

Severe weather can also cause your garbage cans to be knocked over and damaged. Even worse, if strong winds tip them over, the emptied waste can be scattered all over your property, resulting in a major cleanup. By locking your garbage can, you prevent the lid from opening fully when it tips over, significantly reducing the amount of waste spilled. Of course, it's even more practical to install a locking mechanism that stabilizes the cans so they can't be tipped over in the first place, or to completely enclose them, for example, with garbage can enclosures .

Lock the garbage can and keep animals outside.

Besides human vandalism, there are other uninvited guests that can make your bins unsafe. You can also lock your bin to protect it from nighttime visits by animals. Even in the city, your waste is by no means safe from being plundered by vermin. Raccoons, rats, and foxes, for example, are magically attracted to the smell of your garbage and find it a veritable feast.

Unfortunately, this involuntary feeding has many disadvantages for you. For example, bins can be knocked over and food scraps scattered across the floor. Moreover, it's rarely a one-off occurrence. Once animals have identified your garbage as a reliable and safe food source, they are likely to return regularly. Considering that many animals can also transmit diseases, it becomes clear how important it is to be able to lock your garbage bin as a preventative measure.

Lock the garbage can and prevent the disposal of foreign waste.

Another problem that can arise with unsecured bins is that neighbors or strangers empty their trash into them. This is not only illegal but also extremely inconvenient for you. In such cases, you lose valuable space for your own waste. Improper waste separation or the disposal of materials that don't belong in household waste can also become a problem and incur costs.

These are the options for locking your garbage can

Just as numerous as the potential difficulties are, there are also many ways to secure your garbage cans. To help you avoid the complications shown above, we present various options for locking or securing your garbage cans.

We will discuss various options that differ in terms of the workload they require and offer different advantages. This will allow you to determine precisely which bin security method best suits your needs.

Boxes offer complete security for garbage cans

If you're looking for complete bin security, bin enclosures are the ideal solution. They fully enclose your bins and secure them on all sides. Since these enclosures are lockable, you also save yourself the hassle of attaching a lock to the bin itself. Because these bin enclosures are made of solid stainless steel, they are also difficult to damage, effectively deterring vandalism.

But even nocturnal animal visitors are kept away from the waste by the box. This works primarily as a preventative measure, as the development of odors is inhibited, making it harder for animals to detect the garbage. In addition, many animals cannot squeeze through the narrow gaps. The covers also offer important protection against the elements. Thanks to their robust construction and weight, the boxes shield your bins from strong winds, preventing them from being blown over.

If you don't want to buy a bin enclosure and prefer a smaller solution, a gravity lock has proven to be the best option. This needs to be attached to the bin using drilled holes. This minor DIY effort is worthwhile, however, as such a gravity lock offers extremely practical features.

It not only keeps the lid securely closed, but also opens automatically when tilted and closes again automatically when set down. This means you don't have to unlock the lock yourself when you put the bin out for collection. So you can leave your bins securely at the curb overnight.

It's important to note, however, that drilling the holes necessary for a gravity lock is irreversible and therefore prohibited in many cases. So, to be on the safe side, contact the company responsible for your waste disposal.

Lock the garbage can with a clamp lock

If you prefer a minimally invasive method to avoid any hassle, we recommend a clamp lock. You can clamp this to the lid and rim of the bin and lock it. While this saves you a call to the waste disposal company, you will need to unlock the lock when preparing the bin for collection. This also means the bin will remain unlocked on the street overnight. Nevertheless, the clamp lock is the simplest and most cost-effective way to secure your bin.

Conclusion: Locking the garbage can – great benefits with just a few simple steps

Being able to lock your garbage can is a worthwhile feature that you should definitely ensure for your waste collection points. Even if you live in a quiet area and your neighbors haven't reported any incidents, this way you're prepared for anything. We particularly recommend investing in a garbage can enclosure .

These lockable enclosures completely enclose your bins, eliminating the need to lock them yourself. The enclosures protect against all the scenarios described above. Whether you want to protect your bins from pests, unwanted visitors, or the elements, one of our enclosures will keep them safe.

Frequently asked questions about locking the garbage can

Should you have any further questions about closing your garbage can, you've come to the right place. We've compiled the most frequently asked questions and answered them clearly for you:

What should you consider when building your own lock for garbage cans?

If you want to lock your garbage can with a chain, for example, and need to drill holes in it, you should contact the relevant waste disposal company beforehand. Since such modifications to the cans are often prohibited, this will ensure you are legally on the safe side.

What is a practical safety device for multiple garbage cans?

If you need secure storage for multiple bins, a bin enclosure is the best solution for you. In our online shop, you can order various models that offer up to four compartments for individual bins.