Strikes across Aberdeen have sparked concerns about increase in fly-tipping, with one supermarket barricading their public bins to prevent “excessive” piles of rubbish.
All of the bins at the recycling point at Asda the store in Bridge of Don were seen sectioned off with barriers to restrict public use.
It comes as thousands of refuse workers across the country stage an industrial action to demand better pay as they struggle to make ends meet due to the cost of living crisis.
The ongoing strike action – the first wave of which started on Wednesday this week – prompted fears of overflowing bins and litter strewn across the streets.
While there is a chance that some household and commercial waste could still be collected, Aberdeen City Council warned most bins will not be emptied on strike days.
And in fear this could cause “greater levels of littering” at their Bridge of Don site, Asda bosses decided to barricade their bins to prevent more people leaving rubbish behind.
Asda ‘advised’ this was a necessary measure
An Asda spokesman confirmed staff were advised this was a necessary measure to protect the public safety and the environment.
However, the decision has reportedly been reversed this morning after the council confirmed they are not in charge of the bins at that recycling point and they will be emptied as usual by a private operator.
An Asda spokesman said: “With the strikes, we were advised that these bins would be used a lot more than they would otherwise, fill up quicker, and not be emptied.
“This would have lead to greater levels of littering/fly-tipping and become a big problem safety wise and in terms of the local environment.
“Unfortunately when these bins are full members of the public will continue to fly-tip around the area of the bins.
“We made the decision to barrier them off to hopefully prevent members of the public from assuming it was OK to leave their excess rubbish by these bins.
“We have since, however, had further communication from the council advising that these bins will continue to be emptied throughout the strikes, and so we removed the barriers from these bins this morning.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “The land that the recycling points are situated on belongs to the supermarkets and is therefore their responsibility. We are endeavouring to engage with Asda to discuss this issue.”
Has a supermarket barricaded the bin you’re trying to use? Here are some other tips
Bin strike: Here’s what to do with your waste while workers are on strike
Conversation