Why Is Twitter Raving About #BinSpace?

Everyone was up in arms about the council's bin collection timetables on Wednesday night.
A 'Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council" logo is pictured on an overflowing wheelie bin on July 15, 2020
A 'Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council" logo is pictured on an overflowing wheelie bin on July 15, 2020
PAUL ELLIS via Getty Images

Twitter spaces took off on Wednesday as users flocked to the have live audio conversations about...bins. No, really.

The new public feature on the social media platform enables up to 13 people to be able to speak on a Space at any given time, but plenty more can listen in.

In fact 1300 people turned up to listen late into Wednesday night.

Turns out, the best way to unite users was to start a Space about bin collections – it was so popular, #BinSpace started trending in the UK.

People started airing their serious grievances about the problems with their local council, ranging from the lack of recycling bins to the cost and frequency of collections.

One account tweeted: “Listening to this space is the epitome of British adulting for me.

“I thought I was coming in as a joke, but I’m now furious at my council.”

Listening to this space is the epitome of British adulting for me https://t.co/7pMyz3fH3k #BinSpace

I thought I was coming in as a joke, but I’m now furious at my council 😡😂

— Nego True - Album out Now (@NegoTrue) August 25, 2021

Buzzing that I was able to contribute to Bin FM - well, #binspace as it’s trending as - about the accessibility issues of kerbside collections, the lack of recycling bins in my block, and money.

Also a great reminder that I needed to empty my bin. So I did. pic.twitter.com/VbHTJcBmkL

— Alex Milsom (@alexmilsom) August 25, 2021

While it may have started off as a joke to people entering the Space, professionals working within the industry contributed to the discussion and shone a light on some of the more pressing issues.

Well #BINSPACE was fun. Unlike most shitty radio phone ins, DIVERSE people many of whom had worked in the field and knew what they were talking about

— Marcus feat. Dusty (@marcusjdl) August 25, 2021

Many couldn’t quite believe how much bin collection ranged from council to council.

Constituents paying for black bins while also paying council tax every month? EXCUSE ME?! #BinSpace

— Amina (@yeahshewrites) August 25, 2021

This is a very good point about the inaccessibility of pavements on bin collection day #BinSpace

— Ash (@ashindestad) August 25, 2021

when I think about the bin crisis #binspace pic.twitter.com/REf00e7TpV

— Jack Robinson (@JackEORobinson) August 25, 2021

There were also some...interesting...accounts listening in to the space.

The EUROVISION SONG CONTEST is in a space to talk about U.K. bin collection days #binspace pic.twitter.com/TaqeJQcETN

— Emma Yeomans (@Effy_Yeomans) August 25, 2021

Even though serious issues were raised, hilarity of the situation was not lost on many Twitter users.

"What's it like living in the UK?"

Well, it's 12:18am and UK twitter is debating dustbins on Twitter spaces #binspace

— alice (she/her) 🏳️🌈🇵🇸 🇮🇪 ☭ (@frondescences) August 25, 2021

I can’t believe #binspace has more listeners than GB news

— Hannah (@hannahchrstina) August 25, 2021

Some accounts pointed out that it was a better kind of public forum, suggesting it was a new and improved version of Question Time.

reject embrace
tradition modernity #binspace pic.twitter.com/Y0jcuL02vf

— alice (she/her) 🏳️🌈🇵🇸 🇮🇪 ☭ (@frondescences) August 25, 2021

Sorry but you wouldn't get Fiona Bruce asking to hear a question from "I'm a vaccine slut" on Question Time, would you? Iconic scenes. #binspace

— 🅒🅗🅡🅘🅢 (@chriscole_cc) August 25, 2021

It also doesn’t look like this will be a one-off, with a handful of accounts looking forward to the next virtual forum.

Okay, so what are we going to talk about next week? I suggest roads and transport #binspace pic.twitter.com/tC80kFo7Yk

— Simone, not Thimone 🇨🇩 (@leizenomis) August 25, 2021

If you weren't on here last night you missed the greatest thing to happen on UK Twitter in a long time: #BinSpace - a five-hour Twitter Space about bin collections.

— Martin SFP Bryant (@MartinSFP) August 26, 2021

1300+ people coming together to talk bins and recycling (for hours). Strangely addictive! https://t.co/5NLq6c1R9i #binchat

— Duncan Borman (@Dunc76) August 25, 2021
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