I'm selling my wheelie bin on eBay rather than paying council another penny to empty it

Ian Dowson, 50, bought the bin from Scarborough Borough Council three years ago for a one-off payment of £20 - but now the authority is charging residents an annual payment of £36 for them to provide the same service.

Now Mr Dowson, an oil worker, wants to get ahead of the tide and sell his large plastic wheelie bin online so he can get his money back.

He’s advertising it as “Genuine Scarborough Borough Council Brown Bin 240 litre” with mileage “less than one mile from new” and tyres in “excellent condition”.

He adds: “Please look out for future listings as I have a “Green bin” and “blue bin”. The brown bin is just the start……..”

Mr Dowson said: “It is just ridiculous - what are we actually paying our council tax for?

“I bought a bin for £20 three years ago because I wanted to do my bit for the environment - but now they have taken it too far.

“To be honest I don’t have a big garden so it won’t bother me for the cuttings and grass - it’s just ridiculous altogether.

He added: “So then I thought about it for a few days and then listed it online before anyone else has similar ideas.”

Mr Dowson’s partner Nicola Clarkson, 48, said he was “being stupid” - but could see the funny side.

Mr Dowson said: “Well I looked on the site earlier - and I had seven watchers on it - which is decent.

“I have seven people watching it and over a thousand views - mind you they’re probably just comical views.”

The listing on eBay includes a full-length picture of the bin, with close-up shots of the wheels and inside.

The description reads: “Genuine Scarborough Borough Council Brown Bin 240 litre.

“Here I have up for auction is a genuine Scarborough borough council brown bin, I bought this approximately 3 years ago under the impression that if I bought the bin the local council would empty it on a two weekly basis, which they did until now (that’s what I thought I paid my local council tax for).

“The council are now introducing as from the 1st of March a fee for this service which is £38 for the year. If you already have a brown bin you get a £20 reduction on the first year, then it will increase to £38 for the following year (As you are fully aware this could change due to council increases on a yearly basis).

“The bin is a sort of black/grey colour, I drive a Grey Toyota Rav 4 and its just about the same colour, so I will say its Toyota grey.

“The Bin has had one owner from new and is only approximately 3 years old.

“It has done less than one mile from new, it has only travelled approximately 18 meters every two weeks up and down the drive.

“Tyres are in excellent condition, plenty of life still I them.

“It is 240 litre, which gives you lots of space for garden waste.

“There are some light scratches on the lid and sides, which I believe were incurred when the bin was emptied, you cannot see them at night or if the bin is stored in dark corner.

“The bin has a chrome number 5 on the front which you can remove.

“Embossed writing on front which says “Scarborough Borough Council” “Garden Waste Only” and on the rear with embossed serial number SBC009319.

“The contents of the bin are not included in the sale; hopefully I should get it emptied before the 1st of March deadline and will give it a wash out.

“I live at the coast so Seagull muck free.

“The auction is for the bin and does not include the new introduced licence.

“Lastly in the council leaflet it says “What happens to my brown bin if I choose not to subscribe to the scheme? You still own the brown bin so you can use it for any purpose”.

“So you could use it for the following: garden ornament (so people think you have loads of money to get your bin emptied) Infinity pool, hiding place for hide and seek, Sledge, Ice cooler for beers, Laundry bin, the list is endless just use your imagination.

“Please no tyre kickers.

“Would prefer collection only but I am willing to post at buyers cost.

“Any questions please ask.

“Please look out for future listings as I have a “Green bin” and “blue bin”. The brown bin is just the start……..”

Mr Dowson’s eBay sale ends on Saturday (Feb 20) and is hoping he will get his £20 back at least. Currently it has no bids (Tues).

Scarborough Borough Council has been contacted for comment.