Residents of North Avenue in Southend woke up to a scene of chaos this morning after bags of rubbish were ripped open and strewn across the pavement and road.
The mess, which included household waste, recyclables, and even a child’s stuffed toy, left some people struggling to navigate the pavements.
One local resident expressed their frustration, blaming the problem on rubbish bags being left out overnight. “This is a classic example of why you shouldn’t put your bins out until the day of the collection,” they said. “When you put them out the night before, you get this. I had to help an elderly lady through this mess as her mobility scooter got jammed up on a kid’s stuffed toy.”
The issue of bin collections and waste management in Southend has been a recurring concern among residents. Some believe wildlife, such as foxes, are responsible for tearing into the rubbish bags, while others argue that people are to blame.
Julie Hall, a local resident, insisted: “That’s definitely people rooting through the rubbish and not the foxes! Southend Borough Council should provide bins like Rochford and this will stop.”
Southend Council responded to the concerns, reminding residents of the proper waste disposal guidelines. A spokesperson said: “Residents should ensure that their recycling and waste is kept within the boundary of their properties and made ready for collection on their collection day by 7.00am.
“Recycling and waste must not be presented on the public highway as this will be deemed to be littering, and you may receive a Fixed Penalty Notice if you do this.”
The unsightly mess sparked fresh debate about whether the council should introduce more secure waste bins, similar to those used in nearby Rochford, to prevent incidents like this from happening.
In the meantime, residents are being urged to keep their waste within their property boundaries and only place it out for collection on the morning of their scheduled pick-up.