Lock down on wheelie bin crime

When Steve Thompson received an enquiry from a local council asking how their wheelie bins might be secured, he had no idea that several months later he would be receiving interest from far and wide and foreign shores too on the matter.

Based in Wisbech, Steve has invented the “BinSafe”, a device that prevents unauthorised access to both domestic and commercial wheelie bins due to a clever but simple locking frame.

The product itself was officially launched at the recent Recycling and Waste Management show at Birmingham’s NEC leading to over 70 enquiries!

“As I looked into things in more detail, I realised that wheelie bin crime is a growing problem and we became more determined to find a solution”, explains Steve.

“Wherever we have taken our prototype, we’ve received the most amazing positive response. We’ve already applied for the patent and I’m getting excited about the potential now”.

Arson is one of the problems that the BinSafe device helps combat and the Arson Task Force has been testing the product.

Locally, a butcher was experiencing theft from his wheelie bin and waste was being left emptied all over the place causing environmental issues. He has now fitted the BinSafe and this is no longer a worry.

“The theft has all stopped now and that’s made things safer and cleaner for local residents”, comments Steve.

In order to set up in business, Steve turned to business support experts NWES for help. “I’ve known NWES for a while now and attended their business breakfasts which have helped me network and gain more contacts. The advice and training they offer can help all kinds of people start their own business and the best thing is that it’s free!” Steve adds.

Over the coming weeks, Steve is hoping that the business will really start to grow. “We’ve got this far and it’s been hard work. I’m delighted with the way things have gone and we’ve got a massive opportunity ahead of us. We’ve put videos on the website showing how the BinSafe works and what we’ve achieved and we’ll have more to add soon I’m sure.”

For more information visit www.binsafe.com, email steve@binsafe.com or call 01945 474335

October 2009 - Peterborough UK Community Website