‘It’s no service if our bins break’

Fed-up residents say a new waste processor cannot provide service because the bins are “keep being broken”.

Residents of the Ashford borough have been experiencing disruption for months since contractor Suez replaced Biffa at the end of March.

Residents say many bins have been broken in Ashford since Suez took over the waste contract

Now neighbours say their problems are getting worse as bins are “gradually being destroyed” during collection.

According to Ashford City Council (ABC), there are no more reports of damage than in previous years, but residents say they are now reaching the end of their rope.

Irene Mitton from Kennington, who recently paid £120 for two garden boxes, says both boxes were damaged just days after she ordered them.

She also only received one replacement waste bin on June 25, while she had already requested two on June 7.

The Park Road resident explained: ‘Have the new officers had any training in dealing with waste containers?

Kennington resident Irene Mitton says both garden waste bins are broken — Kennington resident Irene Mitton says both her garden bins are broken

Longbridge in Willesborough Lees is one of many roads through Ashford affected by the Suez Crisis — Longbridge in Willesborough Lees is one of many roads through Ashford affected by the Suez bin crisis

Longbridge in Willesborough Lees is one of many roads through Ashford affected by the Suez bin crisis

“They keep splitting in exactly the same spot, all the way to the side of the tank.

“I’m 73 and have a ramp that allows me to move my trash cans from one side to the other.

“So if I can transport them, I’m sure a huge truck can lift them.

“The bins or trucks are no longer suitable because the splits take place in exactly the same place.”

ABC recently increased the collection fee for garden waste by 33%. Residents now have to pay £60 per bin instead of £45.

Ms Mitton said both brown bins were damaged and only one had been replaced — Mrs Mitton says both brown bins were damaged and only one has been replaced

Mrs Mitton says both her brown bins were damaged and only one has been replaced — Mrs Mitton says both brown bins were damaged and only one has been replaced

Garden waste subscription costs in Ashford have risen for the fifth year in a row — Garden waste subscription costs have risen in Ashford for the fifth year in a row

But while the cost of replacing a garden waste bin is free, a new bin for recycling or household waste costs £31.50.

Ashford resident Trevor Watson says he is “fuming” after seeing both his garden and garbage damaged this month.

“The new contractor Suez has been gradually destroying my brown bin and severely damaging my black since they were collecting for ABC,” he said.

“I see that others on the street have also suffered the same treatment.”

Another Ashford resident commented: “My garden waste has been collected and they have smashed my bin to pieces. I have filed a complaint with ABC.”

Suez workers collect garden waste in Ashford

Neighbors have been facing waste collection problems since Suez became Ashford, Maidstone and Swale’s sole waste handler with a contract worth £152 million.

The company’s controversial service has led to a pile-up of rubbish on the streets and hundreds of complaints from angry homeowners over the delays in rubbish collection.

ABC said in a statement that there is currently a delay in the delivery of bins, but work is underway to reduce this.

“The fact that waste bins need to be replaced is a result of natural wear and tear and is normal during waste collection,” said a spokesperson.

“The number of bins that need to be replaced is in proportion to previous years, taking into account the age and the expected growth in the number of replacements.

Trevor Watson says both his garden and household bin were damaged this month — Trevor Watson says both his garden and household bin have been damaged this month

Trevor Watson says he has seen both his garden and household waste bins damaged this month — Trevor Watson says both his garden and household bin have been damaged this month

Mr Watson says Suez has done that "destroyed" his brown trash can and "seriously damaged" another — Mr Watson says Suez “destroyed” his brown bin and “severely damaged” another

Mr Watson says Suez has done that "destroyed" his brown box and "seriously damaged" another — Mr Watson says Suez “destroyed” his brown bin and “severely damaged” another

“If a resident’s garden waste bin breaks, they must complete a form on our website to request a new one.

“We provide replacement garden waste bins free of charge, regardless of how they break.

“We are currently experiencing delays in the delivery of bins and are working to reduce this.

“Our normal delivery time is 10 working days [and] We are currently at 10-15 business days.”

KentOnline approached Suez for comment.

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