Original by Michael Knowles, Express - https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/996566/rats-stinking-bags-dumped-stre…
MORE families are facing the risk of vermin and overflowing bins as councils slash rubbish collections to as little as once a month to save cash, it was revealed yesterday.
Black bin bags are increasingly being dumped on the streets or in the countryside as more local authorities cut household waste collections, claiming it boosts recycling efforts. Foxes and other pests, including rats, are now targeting stacks of dumped bin bags in residential areas, creating a health hazard while increasing plastic litter, which is devastating the natural environment.
Independent consultancy firm Eunomia has claimed recycling rates are improving in areas where threeweek collections were introduced. Guildford Council, in Surrey, has become the latest authority to consider the scheme after East Devon, St Helens in Merseyside, Oldham, Rochdale and Wigan councils introduced three-weekly collections last year. The concerns over public hygiene come during a heatwave, with soaring temperatures fuelling “rancid” smells and maggot infestations in bins loaded with food waste.
Householder Jayson Lomax-Hargreaves, 36, from Wigan, told the Daily Express: “Fly-tipping is increasing beyond recognition. I recently went on a litter clear-up and we cleaned up soiled nappies and sanitary products in an alleyway where children play.
“This is being dumped here because people can’t put it in bins.”
A council whistleblower also told how bin lorries were unable to finish their rounds because they were collecting too much waste. Bury, in North-west England, and Gwynedd, in Wales, were among the first to introduce three-weekly collections in 2014. Gwynedd Council saw an increase in recycling rates from 54 per cent in 2013-14 to 61 per cent in 2016-17.
Conwy County Borough Council, in north Wales, sparked controversy when it introduced monthly collections.
Janet Finch-Saunders, a Conservative Welsh Assembly member, revealed more rubbish was being dumped in the countryside, hitting tourism and businesses.
Ms Finch-Saunders said: “There has been a major effect. Black sacks are being thrown on the street and we are seeing a lot more fly-tipping. Rubbish is overflowing from bins because they can’t be closed properly.
A council whistleblower also told how bin lorries were unable to finish their rounds because they were collecting too much waste. Bury, in North-west England, and Gwynedd, in Wales, were among the first to introduce three-weekly collections in 2014. Gwynedd Council saw an increase in recycling rates from 54 per cent in 2013-14 to 61 per cent in 2016-17.
Conwy County Borough Council, in north Wales, sparked controversy when it introduced monthly collections.
Janet Finch-Saunders, a Conservative Welsh Assembly member, revealed more rubbish was being dumped in the countryside, hitting tourism and businesses.
Ms Finch-Saunders said: “There has been a major effect. Black sacks are being thrown on the street and we are seeing a lot more fly-tipping. Rubbish is overflowing from bins because they can’t be closed properly.
Allison Ogden-Newton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “If local authorities are looking at reducing collections of general waste, we would be concerned if they were also considering reducing recycling collections.
“That would be the tipping point for us. Reducing both recycling collections and general waste could lead to an increase in fly-tipping and litter.”
John O’Connell, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “People pay ever-increasing amounts of council tax every year and they expect to get their bins collected regularly.
“Taxpayers are done a huge disservice by cuts to these services, and will want to know where all their cash is going if not on core services.”
Paul Barton, of Wigan Council, said: “Since the changes were brought in our recycling rate has increased from 43 per cent to more than 50, which is brilliant news for the environment.”
Martin Tett, the Local Government Association’s environment spokesman, said: “With recycling rates having quadrupled in the past decade, it’s clear that household recycling is a real success story.
"Our own polling shows eight out of 10 people are happy with the way their council collects rubbish.”
A Government spokesman said: “While this issue is ultimately for local councils to decide, we encourage them to support the wishes of local people and collect waste regularly.”