Action over overflowing bin ‘hazard’
THIS is the commercial waste left overflowing outside a landmark development for the past four weeks.
The health hazard has remained uncollected from next to the multimillion pound Oyster Wharf buildings in Mumbles.
This is despite repeated calls for the commercial wheelie bin to be emptied, leaving it to build up and threaten to fall over under its own weight and volume.
Residents said they had contacted both the local community and city councils asking for action to be taken to remove the eyesore.
Swansea Council said that while it did collect commercial waste from some businesses across the city, it was not responsible for the one identified in Mumbles.
Mumbles resident Pat Bevan said: “It’s been there now for more than four weeks, and it looks pretty grim. Despite repeated phone calls and emails over the last four weeks, to both Mumbles community councilors and Swansea Council, there’s still been no action to collect rubbish.
“It is an eyesore and health hazard. Nobody seems to want to take responsibility for the rubbish, not even when rubbish collectors are parked next to the overloaded bin”.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said that while the waste collection was not its responsibility, the authority did have enforcement powers.
He added: “We are one of a number of commercial waste collection providers in the city – and this waste is not from one of our clients.
“However, while it is the responsibility of the business producing the waste to liaise with its waste contractor, our trade waste team has contacted the waste management company involved – and they have advised that they will remove the waste and replace the damaged bin. Commercial waste bins put out for collection are a matter for individual businesses to manage.
“They have a legal duty to store their waste appropriately between collections and we work closely with them to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities. We thank the South Wales Evening Post for bringing this occurrence to our attention.”
A spokesman for Veolia added: “We can confirm the bin will be emptied and removed. Due to external damage to the tipping mechanism, the bin itself will have to be taken alongside its contents. A new container will be provided following the removal of the old one.”