Residents in Stockport have expressed frustration after waste collection crews declined to empty bins with lids that were not fully closed, resulting in numerous bins being left uncollected on local streets. Several residents reported encountering situations where bins with lids only slightly ajar were skipped during the scheduled pickup.

Anna Walsham posted an image showing two brown bins, one with a lid partially open and the other fully closed, noting that neither had been emptied. Another resident, Lynda Pynegar, attributed the issue to the frequency of collections, suggesting that more regular service would alleviate the problem.

The contractor responsible for waste collection, Totally Local Company, cited health and safety considerations as the reason for refusing to collect bins with open lids. Concerns include potential injuries to staff handling the bins, increased attraction of pests, and the risk of damaging the lifting mechanisms on the collection vehicles.

Stockport Council acknowledged the complaints and indicated that while bins with slightly open lids had occasionally been emptied in the past, crews have recently been instructed to enforce the existing policy more rigorously. The council’s statement emphasized the need for consistent application of guidelines to safeguard workers and maintain operational efficiency.