Wishaw residents have blasted bin bosses after refuse collectors refused to lift bins whose lids were slightly open.
Residents in Tinto Crescent and Stonecraig Road were left fuming when binmen said they were unable to take the open-lidded bins and left bags in the street rather than putting them into their lorries.
Residents claim they were not told this was the case and have started a petition against the plans.
Tinto Crescent resident, and Central Wishaw Community Council chair Carolanne Foley said: “If the bin lids were slightly up then they were taking bags out and just leaving them.
“They just left them so that means we are waiting for another three weeks for the bins to be emptied. That can’t be right.
“We could end up with even more fly-tipping. That’s why we started the petition.
“There’s not enough information for residents.”
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Wishaw councillor Bob Burgess admitted he had received a number of complaints about the problems.
“I think what has angered people is that they were not told of this policy,” said Councillor Burgess.
“We had a situation in Tinto Crescent where several homes did not have their bins properly emptied and bags were dumped.
“Why did they not just empty the bins?
“I have also been contacted by a woman who lives at Wishaw Cross who has a problem with mice. Rubbish being left out could be a reason for that.
“There is a fly-tipping problem in the area and this situation is just a mess.”
The Wishaw Press understands that similar problems were reported in Craigneuk and Coltness.
A council spokesperson said: “On one occasion there was a miscommunication which led to a small number of overloaded bins in a limited number of areas in Wishaw not being emptied.
"This matter has since been addressed.
“However, overloaded bins cause significant problems for crews, in particular the health and safety risk to employees attempting to move and empty these bins into the lorry.
“In addition, overloaded bins with lids open allows rodents, birds and foxes access to the rubbish, causing litter and other problems.
“For these reasons we would ask all residents not to overload their bins. If anyone requires assistance in reducing the amount of waste they place in their black bin, our Waste Management Assistants can help.
"They can be contacted via Northline on 01698 403110. Our aim is always to reduce the levels of waste we dispose of and increase the amount we recycle.”
