One of the bin crew guys told me a while ago that they have to get their collections done and at the depot by a certain time. And if they don't, they don't get the overtime. You can easily imagine that the delivery target is pretty damn tight so from the crews' perspective, anything they can do to make the collection run on time within the hours they'll be paid for is all to the good.

Hence, one gang member goes ahead, getting the bins in position and consolidating bin contents if possible so it's only one 'lift' rather than two.

Economics over public convenience, I'm afraid. The only upside is that the noise from the forward gang member reminds me it's Wednesday and I need to get the rubbish out before the lorry arrives.