Bin men blamed for waste crisis

Some individuals in Edinburgh have labelled a small group of waste removal men as the primary cause for the waste crisis in the city.

These workers have been accused of stubbornness to the point of disruption - refusing to take away bins if they are not fully shut and correct.

The Edinburgh Evening News has said that these men have been accused of "refusing to lift bin bags left beside wheely bins, leaving bins with slighly open lids unemptied and failing to report problems they find on their collection routes".

Some people believe that the problem arose when pay cuts and changes began a few years ago.

From then on, it is believed that the waste removal men became very discontented and angry and looking to vent their frustration they turned to inflexibility in their duties.

People of Edinburgh and the City Council are well aware that this is not reflective of the majority of bin men who are happy and willing to do their job to the best of their ability.

"The vast majority have behaved responsibly. I think there is a small group of people who are not being cooperative – there has to be a hard edge to this," said City council director of services, Mark Turley.

Regardless, the council do plan on taking much stricter action against those waste removal men who are not doing their job.

"We are being patient and understanding, but if people are not doing the job they are paid to do then we need to act upon this," Mr Turley said.

Refusal to collect and a lack of thoroughness has meant there has been a huge build up of excess waste in the city.

Not only is this unpleasant to look at and smell, it is quite dangerous.

Rubbish has been piled up in some parts of the city for over five weeks. This encourages animals like rats, badgers and foxes, as well as being incredibly harmful to the environment.