Musselburgh residents 'disgusted' after bins not emptied for six weeks

With a mountain of rubbish piling up at the bin stores and a used syringe spotted nearby, some of the residents at and near 205 North High Street say they have been left with no choice but to take their household waste by car to recycling centres.

Resident Mandy Gibb, 60, who has lived in the area for 15 years, described the past month-and-a-half as "awful".

She said: “The conditions outside are absolutely disgusting and it cannot keep on going on like this. I feel very disappointed by the council. It is an absolute disgrace.

“I’ve phoned so many times to get the rubbish collected and I have been passed from person to person. I am at a loss of what to do.

“I can understand that the bin men do not want to pick up litter due to the possibility of sharp objects like needles touching them, but something has to be done.”

Several of the surrounding flats are owned by East Lothian Housing Association and are served by a bin store.

A used syringe next to the bin store

Due to the amount of rubbish that has accumulated in the past six weeks, a smell, described as “revolting” by one passer-by, has started to waft around the group of metal bins and the street.

There has also been claims of sightings of rats.

Lee Hill visits her mother and father, who live on the street, on a daily basis, and said: “I am very disappointed how the situation has escalated and it is an absolute disgrace.

“I have no idea why this has happened, I’ve contacted the council and the housing association but I haven’t been able to resolve this.

“It is a mess and it is disgusting and I want something done now!”

Another resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "I have taken it upon myself to drive my rubbish to Wallyford tip.

"I can't just leave my bags of stuff here or the situation will just get worse.

"The council have to do something soon or this will escalate."

The 'disgusting' bins

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “While the waste team is responsible for emptying bins at the development, there is currently a significant amount of excess waste outwith the bins which is creating a hazard to our crews. We have asked the housing association to remove this excess waste to allow us to access and then remove the contents of the bins.

“The council provides a weekly household recycling service. Much of the material being put into communal waste bins at this location would be suitable for collection through the weekly recycling service. Residents can order additional recycling bags/containers via the council website.”

East Lothian Housing Association has also been contacted for comment.