Plastic wrapped public bins in Bangor and Ballyholme have lead to "one big mess", a councillor says.
Green Party Councillor Stephen Dunlop says they have been covered up as Ards and North Down Council intends to replace them.
However, with no signs on why they are sealed, he said members of the public have poked holes through the coverings and left rubbish on the street around them.
The Green Party councillor told Belfast Live he is committed to working with council to resolve issue and has urged them to consider posting signs about what's happening to update the public.
Cllr Dunlop said: "The Council intends to replace the bins and so have wrapped them in plastic so that people don't use them.
"There is no signage asking people not to use the bins and litter has been left around the bins. People have also poked holes through the plastic wrapping to use the bins.
"The end result is one big mess with dog poo in bags particularly nasty and smelly.
"I've been in touch with Council to get the area around the bins cleaned up."
Cllr Dunlop added: "I've also suggested that Council provide signage advising people not to use the bins. I'd also like Council to speed up the process of having the bins replaced and to look for a more sustainable alternative to wrapping the bins in plastic.
"This is also a good opportunity to look at why people don't have an opportunity to recycle their waste when using public bins.
"Yes, its always best to take rubbish home and sort in your own bins. However, I think it practical to allow people to recycle their waste when they are out and about.
"Green Party councillors in Belfast secured Council support for public recycling bins in the city parks. I think there is an opportunity to bring the same initiative to North Down and Ards."
A spokesperson for the council said: "A small number of bins in Bangor town centre were damaged after the contents were set on fire so Council placed plastic bags over them to prevent them from being used while replacement aluminium liners were sourced.
"Unfortunately, some members of the public continued to put their rubbish on top of the bins during this time. New liners were installed this (Thursday) morning and the bins are operational again. With regards to Ballyholme, new bins will be installed next week."
