Refuse collector Ashley regularly shares his top tips and insider secrets with his 168,000 followers on TikTok.

In a recent clip, the self-described “bin-fluencer” offered advice on the one item you should never put in the bin due to the danger attached.

According to the 37-year-old, people should avoid putting electric toothbrushes in their general waste or recycling bins.

“You do not put them in your general waste bin and you do not put them in your recycling bins because they have a rechargeable battery inside them,” Ashley told creatorzine.com.

“I know it’s a faff, you have to then take them to a shop like Boots or Currys, or anything like that which sells small electricals.

“They sometimes have a bin outside; you can put them in that.

“You could alternatively take them to the tip, they have a small electrical bin or bay, you can put them there.

“Sometimes you just have to return stuff to where you got it from.

Ashley went on to share the reason behind his advice – it’s to avoid fires and damage to property.

He added: “It’s not our fault we don’t take them, we don’t take everything.

“It’s just to stop fires and stuff in the back of the lorries – because [when] the blade comes down, if it bursts the battery inside it, then that’s how the fire starts.

“It’s the same when we get to the tip and they crush it, they’re not expecting electrical devices to be in there – that’s the reason why.”

Users flocked to the comments section beneath the video, which racked up more than 4,000 views.

Tash said: “My council lets us put small electricals in a carrier bag and leave by our general waste bin and the bin men take them.”

Paul wrote: “Council should provide something to put empty small AA + AAA batteries in.”

Another viewer added: “My council provide kerbside collections for batteries and small electrical items such as microwaves, toasters and gaming controllers.

“Also we take leads but they go in a separate plastic clear bag that shows they’re in there.”

Highway workmen will shut the Oxford Road in Middleton Stoney later this week for four days while surface dressing works is carried out.

The work involves applying a thin layer of bitumen and stone chippings to the road surface to seal it, improve grip and extend its life.

A road closure will be enforced between 4am and 6pm daily, starting Friday, April 24 and ending on Tuesday, April 28.

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Meanwhile, a suggested diversion route will be in place by Oxfordshire County Council via Green Lane, Alchester Road, the A4095, Vendee Drive, B4030 and vice versa.

A notice from Oxfordshire County Council said: “Limited access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for frontages within the closed section of road subject to the progress of the works.

“Access will be maintained for buses. Access will be maintained for cyclists and pedestrians.”

The road treatment works are part of an £8m county council scheme to fix more than a million square metres of carriageway in Oxfordshire.

A total of 87 roads will be improved this spring following a winter of cold and wet weather causing potholes to open up on the roads.

Richard Lovewell, business director of contractor M Group, said: “Surface dressing is the most cost-effective and efficient way to increase the life of our roads.

“It prevents water ingress, improves skid resistance and ultimately protects the carriageway from future potholes.”

Thames Valley Police has warned that Jake Parsons, aged 32, should not be approached if seen and that the public should instead immediately contact 999.

The Oxford man is wanted after reportedly threatening to kill someone he knew with a knife on Friday, March 27.

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The victim was unharmed and a photo of Mr Parsons has been released alongside the police’s public appeal.

He is described as being 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build, with black hair and facial hair and has been known to frequent Oxford, Reading and Bristol.

Jake Parsons, 32, of Oxford (Image: TVP)

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police: “We are appealing for help to find a wanted man from Oxford.

“Jake Parsons, 32, is wanted after threatening to kill someone he knew with a knife on Friday 27 March. The victim was unharmed.

“Parsons is described as 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build, with black hair and facial hair.

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“He is known to frequent the Oxford, Didcot, Reading and Bristol areas. If you see Parsons, do not approach him and call 999 immediately.

“Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call 101 or report it online, quoting reference 43260151158.”

Alternatively, if you do not wish to speak to the police, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, who will take your information 100 per cent anonymously.