Bin and tonic
Image: Thousands of housebound Australians are relieving the stress of COVID-19 restrictions by dressing up, often in wacky costumes, to take their garbage bins out. Photo compilation: Facebook

By VERONICA ANASSIS

Thousands of housebound Australians are relieving the stress of COVID-19 by dressing up to take their garbage bins out for collection. Making light of the only social outing available these days – a trip to take out the trash in this state of near-lockdown – social isolators are sharing footage of themselves completing the chore decked in their Sunday best on Facebook group ‘Bin Isolation Outing’.

Many posters are fitting themselves in fancy dress, from full length gowns to mankinis, and costumes featuring Kath and Kim, Captain Planet, ACDC and even KFC’s Colonel Sanders.

After the nationwide ‘two-persons only in a social gathering’ rule was introduced on March 29, many of Sydney’s housebound residents began plunging headfirst into the bin to make light of the social sacrifices they are enduring.

Tracey Patterson from the lower North Shore posted a twist on what would be her usual outing for drinks on Sunday – now coined a “bin and tonic”: a picture of herself holding a cocktail in a glamorous two-piece ensemble alongside her red-top wheely bin.

“Staying inside has been a challenge,” Ms Patterson explained to City Hub, whilst isolating with her 92-year-old father. The post was some much-needed levity for their family, especially for Patterson’s cousin, whose mother passed just days ago. Her cousin is stuck out of state due to border closures in Queensland, and unable to travel see her deceased mother during these restrictions.

“As an adult living alone up until recently, I was keeping up my social life, and then this happened,” Patterson explained to City Hub. “I thought ‘I’m bored at home; I might have a go at this one.’ Some [posts in the group] have been a bit extreme, but some of them are fun.”

“I thought I’d cheer my cousin up. I’d bring a smile to her face. And it worked, because she came back [to me] and told me she found it really funny.”

Patterson is not alone in welcoming the distraction. Since the group’s creation on March 28 in Queensland – a state which has climbed to 900 Corona virus cases – the group jumped to 20,000 members after its first weekend. Content is now pouring in from all over the country, and as far away as North America and Europe, totalling 303,000 group members.

On Thursday 2 April, Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that households are allowed to have two additional guests at a time, but physical distancing must be observed when possible.

Daring
Bin Isolation Outing’s creator, Danielle Askew, shared on the Mornings with Kia Handley radio show that the inspiration for the trend came from a dare to a friend.

“It started out when a friend put it on Facebook about how it’s bin day and how she’s excited because she’s isolated,” Danielle explained. “And I said ‘I dare you to frock up in your best dressed.’ And she goes, ‘I will.’ So, I said alright … I’ll make a Facebook page for it for us girls.’ And it just went from there.”

The concept has now has expanded to include cosplay, outrageous outfits and extravagant bin props.
Askew said on Kia Handley that the group’s rapid success was unexpected, but attempted to explain its appeal.

“It’s because amidst the chaos we need to let our inner child out and have fun’, Askew said. “I myself miss putting on make-up and putting on a pretty dress and feeling pretty. Because you don’t really do that at home by yourself, do you?”

Ms Pattersen however, believes the widespread reliability of garbage day is what is making it a phenomenon with people like herself.

“It’s a small household thing that everyone has,” she said. “Everyone around the world, everyone has garbage. That’s what’s so great about it. It’s not culturally exclusive.”

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