BinPin is a robust, flexible metal core with lockable collars at each end which can secure two wheelie bins together, making them more difficult to steal or vandalise, and helps prevent them toppling over in high winds.
The idea was born out of Munro’s frustration at seeing bins abandoned or vandalised.
He said: “Millions of pounds are lost each year by local authorities through wheelie bins being lost or stolen.
“Moreover, there are the costs of clean up when waste spills out of the bins due to extreme weather conditions or being set on fire by vandals. I thought there must be a solution and came up with the BinPin.”
Munro developed a prototype device which he took to Glasgow-based product design consultancy, Meso Design. Meso refined the design and brought the product to the stage where it is ready to go into commercial production.
The connector can either be used to link two bins together or to attach the bin securely to a wall bracket. Multiple bins can be secured by daisy-chaining BinPins.
When the bin is to be emptied it is a simple operation to unlock one end of the rod and it swings around to attach to the single bin.
Munro said: “The theft and vandalism of wheelie bins is a major headache for local authorities and householders alike.
“We have even heard of many cases where burglars are using bins as a platform to climb into houses and the bin is then used to take away the stolen goods. The BinPin will help prevent this and other misuses of wheelie bins.”
