Locals are demanding action on communal bins that attract fly-tipping and vermin
Pavlos, who builds timber frames and eco-buildings, says this cycle of “endless waste” is not an isolated incident – as it occurs every week and sometimes everyday.
He says campaigning over the years has been “very frustrating” – as he claims Bristol waste and the green party have passed on the blame to each other.(Image: William Dax / SWNS)
Residents in St Pauls, Bristol say they are fed up with foul smelling rubbish and litter building up around communal bins in their neighbourhood. As reported by Bristol Live, locals are urging Bristol City Council to scrap the large communal bins and introduce a new waste collection system. Residents say the oversized bins encourage fly tipping and attract vermin, warning the area risks becoming the UK’s first “green slum” if the situation continues.
The communal bins were introduced in 2011 after concerns that narrow pavements could not accommodate individual wheelie bins. They were later replaced with large “mini recycling centres” placed on street corners. The council, run by the Green Party of England and Wales, has acknowledged it is considering reducing the number of communal bins or removing them altogether. In the meantime, residents say overflowing rubbish, fly tipping and vermin remain a constant problem.
Local resident Pavlos Kyriacou, 61, has been campaigning for changes for three years. He says the system allows rubbish to pile up quickly in a small number of large skips rather than being collected house by house like in most areas. Once the bins fill up, he says bags are left on top or beside them, attracting birds, rats and foxes and leaving litter scattered across the street.
Pavlos says he has repeatedly contacted the council, Bristol Waste Company and local councillors but believes little has changed.
Green councillor Izzy Russell apologised after mistakenly telling residents the bins would be reviewed by a council task group. She said work is under way but admitted it is taking longer than expected. At a recent meeting, Bristol’s head of waste Ken Lawson said a review by Bristol Waste is expected soon. It will examine ways to reduce the number of communal bins and consider long term options for removing them altogether.
The council is also exploring whether landlords could be required to provide bin storage on their own properties instead of relying on street side communal bins. Proposals are expected to go before councillors later this summer.
Commenter Recovergirl says: “It’s not just St Pauls that’s been forgotten. Here in Lockleaze I haven’t seen a bin collection for three weeks and kept being fobbed off by BCC. There are rats in some of the bin cupboards, which never seem to get cleaned if you live in the flats. Lockleaze feels completely neglected. And that’s before even mentioning the potholes in some of the side streets.”
Couldn’t make it up sympathises: “I’m not surprised they’re upset. Imagine having an open rubbish dump next to your house, encouraging fly tipping. No one votes for that to happen.”
Warren C adds: “When I lived in Portugal everywhere had communal bins, you could literally dump anything. BUT, there were no issues as the local authorities collect everyday except Sundays, in the winter.”
Ron Y thinks: “These residents are going to have a long fight against complacent council officers to get any kind of change in local conditions. Bristol is really two cities in one and council officers prefer to listen to the whispers of the well-off in the leafy parts of the city rather than the shouts of inner-city residents.”
Brizzlebabber writes: “I’ve been raising this with Bristol Waste for years since these bins were introduced. I even toured the area with a May Gurney manager and met Bristol Waste supervisors, but nothing changes. The lids are heavy and hard for some people to lift, and the openings are often too small, so bags end up left on top. I have little confidence that Bristol Waste or the council will do anything to properly fix the problem.”
Przemek Z points out: “It’s not just St Pauls. In Redcliffe we have two large bins for more than 20 flats and no recycling. They’re overflowing within days of collection and the street ends up full of litter. Complaints to Bristol City Council go unanswered. Two bins for 20 flats simply isn’t enough, and because they’re unlocked anyone can dump rubbish or bulky waste. It’s a system that clearly isn’t working.”
Janusz B adds: “I’m from Poland and where I come from it’s unthinkable to litter the streets and the area where people live like this. People seem to have no respect for themselves. Nobody cares when someone throws rubbish in a public place, no one even says a word. I can see that this has become part of English culture, not just something associated with the third world. The English themselves have allowed it to happen. So sad.”
Bristol Live readers, what do you think about the communal bin system in St Pauls, Bristol? Is there a better way for Bristol City Council to manage waste in areas with limited space? Share your experiences and views in the comments.