Communal bins are left ‘overflowing’
NICOLA FINDLAY
A Westwood resident has slammed the introduction of communal bins for some blocks of flats saying overflowing rubbish is“attracting rats”.
South Lanarkshire Council replaced individual general waste and some recycling wheelie bins for some flats in Westwood and St Leonards with larger grey bins serving the entire block.
And the council also said they would consider introducing this elsewhere in East Kilbride.
It came after complaints over the large number of wheelie bins left littering the streets.
But Ian MacNair, of Lyttleton, said the new communal bins are overflowing with rubbish in just a couple of days and are blocking pavements and also making it even harder for drivers to park outside their homes.
The council say drivers blocking the communal bins with their vehicles has prevented them being emptied when they should and led to the problems raised.
However, Ian told the News: “It’s a nonsense – there are two bins per two block of flats.
“Within the space of just a few days they are full-tooverflowing and they are only emptied once every two weeks.
“Rubbish ends up all over the place and some of the neighbours have told me they have spotted vermin – which they are bound to do when there is so much rubbish in one bin.
“It must be a hazard and I don’t think this change has improved things any.”
He added: “As they are either just placed on the road or on a pavement they are getting in the way of folk with buggies and taking up space where people would have normally parked.
“In my street is difficult enough to get parked without these things making it even harder.
“And to get down to the street at Lyttleton there are quite a few outside steps, which for some of the older folk can be difficult to try and negotiate to take their rubbish out.”
Alistair McKinnon, head of facilities, waste and grounds services at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The provision of communal bins at Lyttleton has been very successful in addressing issues residents were experiencing with the abandonment, misuse and contamination of wheelie bins.
“We have experienced some problems accessing one or two of the bins on collection day due to parked vehicles. The crew could not empty two bins as scheduled because a van was blocking access. They will be revisiting Lyttleton.
“Over the coming weeks we will number the bins to make it clear which block they service and we will be working with residents to improve recycling rates as we have noted good quality recyclable materials are being put into the residual waste bin which is causing the bins to be full before collection day.”