Rubbish left beside overflowing Underground Refuse Systems in Barking.
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Residents in Barking and Tower Hamlets have reported that the bins have not been collected which is resulting in growing piles of rubbish on the street.
Underground Refuse Systems (URS), whereby rubbish is disposed of through a small chute and stored below street level, are believed to be a modern alternative to communal waste bins.
But Londoners have shared images on X that show the URS bins overflowing in some areas.
‘Normally overflowing’
Matt Lismore, Chair of the Weaver’s Quarter Residents’ Association in Barking described the bins as “normally overflowing.”
He told City News that Barking and Dagenham Council do not own any of the specifically designed vehicles required for URS collection. They rely on vehicles from Tower Hamlets to empty the containers.
But if none of these are available the containers fill up, causing rubbish bags to spill out onto the street.
Temporary Eurobins were brought in to deal with the problem. Credit: X/Matt Lismore.
Vehicle issues
But Tower Hamlets is facing a similar problem. They responded to a complaint on X describing the vehicles as “out of action.”
As of 2017, Tower Hamlets had three of these vehicles and was in the process of acquiring two more.
URS bins overflowing in Tower Hamlets. Credit-George Negas.
URS encouraged despite shortcomings
A 2021 report by Barking and Dagenham Council said, “developers are encouraged to incorporate innovative storage ideas such as compactors, underground storage containers, vacuum systems, and automated waste collection systems.”
When contacted about the issue by City News, a spokesperson for Barking and Dagenham Council said that rubbish surrounding the bins may not be a result of missed collections.
“We cannot discount that non residents may be fly tipping near the bins as they would not have the fobs and as such cannot access the bins.”
Barking and Dagenham Council were also asked about the shortage of URS vehicles but did not comment.
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Standfirst
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HeadlineUnderground Refuse Systems causing littering in east London boroughs
Short HeadlineUnderground waste containers causing rubbish pile ups
StandfirstThe underground bins designed to create space are overflowing into the streets.
Residents in Barking and Tower Hamlets have reported that the bins have not been collected which is resulting in growing piles of rubbish on the street.
Underground Refuse Systems (URS), whereby rubbish is disposed of through a small chute and stored below street level, are believed to be a modern alternative to communal waste bins.
But Londoners have shared images on X that show the URS bins overflowing in some areas.
‘Normally overflowing’
Matt Lismore, Chair of the Weaver’s Quarter Residents’ Association in Barking described the bins as “normally overflowing.”
He told City News that Barking and Dagenham Council do not own any of the specifically designed vehicles required for URS collection. They rely on vehicles from Tower Hamlets to empty the containers.
But if none of these are available the containers fill up, causing rubbish bags to spill out onto the street.
Temporary Eurobins were brought in to deal with the problem. Credit: X/Matt Lismore.
Vehicle issues
But Tower Hamlets is facing a similar problem. They responded to a complaint on X describing the vehicles as “out of action.”
As of 2017, Tower Hamlets had three of these vehicles and was in the process of acquiring two more.
URS bins overflowing in Tower Hamlets. Credit-George Negas.
URS encouraged despite shortcomings
A 2021 report by Barking and Dagenham Council said, “developers are encouraged to incorporate innovative storage ideas such as compactors, underground storage containers, vacuum systems, and automated waste collection systems.”
When contacted about the issue by City News, a spokesperson for Barking and Dagenham Council said that rubbish surrounding the bins may not be a result of missed collections.
“We cannot discount that non residents may be fly tipping near the bins as they would not have the fobs and as such cannot access the bins.”
Barking and Dagenham Council were also asked about the shortage of URS vehicles but did not comment.
