A Swindon resident says his overflowing communal bins are a disgusting health hazard but the rats do not seem to mind.

Kevin Rinaldi, 70, is sick of the shared bins for his Rodbourne estate spewing waste, which he says are not collected frequently enough.

He said: “The refuse area is a complete tip. Bags have been opened, trash is everywhere.

“It’s a health hazard. My son has seen rats in the back garden and the dog can sense them. You shouldn't really have to deal with these things.”(Image: Dave Cox)

The problem began following the introduction of fortnightly recycling and general waste collections by the council at the end of 2023.

He remembers the smell of the rubbish in the summer being intolerable. He said: “Let me put it this way - I couldn’t open my windows.”

As well as blaming a reduction in council bin collections, the bin store, which is shared among around 12 flats, does not have a plastic recycling bin. 

Kevin says this encourages plastic to be put in the other recycling bins, contaminating the rubbish meaning it is not collected, building up instead.

He said: “It's just annoying, you know. You pay these people to do a job. And they decide they don't want to do it.”(Image: Dave Cox)

A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson said it is down to the management company to provide the right facilities in a situation like this.

They said: “We appreciate Mr Rinaldi’s frustrations, but he needs to pick this up with the management company responsible for his property. 

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“Management companies are required to work with their residents so that they present their waste correctly to make it possible for our crews to collect it.

“As the picture clearly demonstrates, this has not been happening in this case. The management company will need to arrange for this waste to be cleared before collections can resume.”

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It is understood that a plastic bin is not provided by the management company, First Port, due to space restrictions in the bin store.

A First Port spokesperson said: “While we have cleaning contractors in place to regularly tidy up the bin store, the change in frequency of the council’s refuse collections has led to a build-up of household waste and recycling. 

“We are working with the council to identify how this issue can be addressed, and our cleaning contractors will be attending to collect all excess waste around the bin area ahead of the next waste collection date.”

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