Locals worry that infrequent food waste pickups will lead to rat problems after new containers were left stuffed full for extended periods.

Six hundred shared street-level food waste receptacles have been placed throughout Brighton and Hove since the start of the year as the concluding stage of Brighton and Hove City Council’s fresh food waste collection initiative.

Through this programme, householders can process all prepared and raw food scraps that would otherwise occupy landfill space, either by employing personal food waste containers or placing waste in community bins. Over 1,000 tonnes has been processed so far since the service began in September, the council reported.

Susan Gorman resides in Wilbury Road, Hove, and utilises a shared food waste container with neighbours in her block. Although Ms Gorman originally held favourable views about the programme, she now considers it a disaster.

She explained that since March 11, their food waste had been collected only twice: on the inaugural day of the programme and again the previous Friday following numerous complaints to the council.

She stated this had put her off using them, and warned that should these problems persist, they would need to reconsider their use of the food waste bins. She highlighted concerns about rats likely being drawn to bins overflowing with waste, noting flies were already present and the tops looked unpleasant.

She added that every street-level bin was also brimming, with lids protruding upwards, and that seagulls would compound the problem.

The Argus has learned that the food waste bins were specifically engineered to avoid attracting vermin, and while the shared street containers receive council maintenance, individuals are accountable for cleaning their own.

A Brighton and Hove City Council representative stated that collections had been largely dependable, though with any rollout of this magnitude, a very limited number of difficulties had emerged, and acknowledged that certain properties in the Wilbury Grange area encountered troubles in March, for which they expressed regret.

The representative noted that the three most recent weekly collections in that area had been successfully completed, expressing hope that residents would observe improvement following those initial problems.

The council expressed pride in the accomplishments of their environmental services team, which includes expanding the scope and dependability of their broader recycling operations. Their vehicles also now feature real-time digital technology within the cab to identify any missed collections, which is contributing to enhanced collection rates.

The representative concluded that the city was setting the standard for food waste and recycling, and thanks to the dedication of council staff, they now offered a collection service of which both the council and residents could feel proud.