A Swindon pensioner who has watched his bins pile up says he has been left with no choice but to chase the binmen and plead with them.
The 76-year-old man, who lives on Wrenswood in Dorcan, says he was completely "livid" after multiple calls with the council about his recycling bins not being collected got him nowhere, and he was forced to watch the waste pile up over weeks.
Tim told the Swindon Advertiser that he had never had issues before in the six years he's been living at the property, but was then told by binmen earlier this year that they would only do 'curbside collection'.
None of the residents living at 34-56 Wrenswood have a curb.
After deciding to take matters into his own hands, the pensioner then chased waste collection workers down the street and pleaded with them to come and take his recycling - but to no avail.
"Sometimes they miss the whole block, but lately it's just us on this row," Tim told the Adver.
"We actually moved the bins after a few weeks of it as we thought the lorry wasn't seeing them.
"Two weeks ago, when it happened, I rang the council up three times.
"I was absolutely livid and I chased after the binmen. I pleaded with them.
"They said we only do curbside collection but we have said to them we have no curb. It's never been an issue before.
"He [one of the recycling workers] said we will come back for your bins and then they didn't."
He added: "I've lived here for six years and I have always put my bins there and they have taken them.
"We have no trouble with the wheely bins and they're able to take those, but they just won't take the others."
Other residents living at 34-35 Wrenswood reported similar issues.
One resident told the Adver: "We have to just keep the bins here and hope for the best."
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After contacting Swindon Borough Council, the Swindon Advertiser has now received confirmation that the waste on this street has been collected and a long-term solution is being put in place.
The council says the situation was the result of miscommunication between teams.
“Unfortunately, a new crew collecting waste on this route thought these particular properties were being served by colleagues who empty bin stores in the area," said a spokesperson for Swindon Borough Council.
“One of our waste wardens visited the resident yesterday and we have raised the issue with the crew so the waste is picked up from now on.”
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