Fed up with overflowing rubbish? One Llandudno resident is in a bit of a tiff with the council after they refused to collect his bin just because the lid was open by a mere inch or two! Mark Welsh is bemoaning the council’s “petty” actions as his household waste, from the past four weeks, waits forlornly by the kerbside, untouched. Despite paying over £3,000 annually in council tax, it seems his bin doesn’t make the cut, and to make matters worse—he’ll have to wait another month before any chance of resolution.
Conwy Council’s “closed lid policy” means bins that can’t close fully are no-go zones for collectors. The council says the skip was missed due to vehicle issues, reigniting anger among locals who were already miffed by the council’s move to monthly bin collections since 2018. Critics believe this invites overflowing bins and fly-tipping—who hasn’t been tempted to sneak a bin bag into a neighbour’s nearly empty bin?
Some residents are calling for more lenience, especially since nearby bins with “vertical” lids have, apparently, been emptied. Mark’s not the only one steaming—another frustrated local claims their bin has been missed for an astonishing six months due to various hiccups, like rain blowing the lid open or stray dog poo bags being tossed in. This particular type of rubbish roulette isn’t fun for anyone!
Residents are getting creative. One woman employs a unique solution: her son stands in the family bin each month to squish rubbish down, an approach echoed by others desperate to make the most of limited space. Despite this, the council warns against bin stomping due to health risks. They suggest proper recycling should stop bins from becoming too heavy, consisting of just lightweight, non-recyclables.
Customer service experiences with the council range from the surprisingly pleasant to downright frustrating. As Mark waits for a resolution five days after reporting his issue, some locals are losing patience, urging a review of policies and a dose of common sense in waste collections.
Have you had a similar experience with the council? Is it time for a policy shake-up or are these rules necessary for keeping streets clean? Share your thoughts!