Disabled man can't recycle after collection changes

Matthew Rushton said mobility challenges mean he can't use new recycling bins

A man from Denbighshire says his overflowing rubbish bin will attract rats because he can't use the council's new trolleybox recycling system.

Matthew Rushton, 51, from Prestatyn, said for the past six months he's only been able to use one wheelie bin for all his household waste and recycling which is collected once every four weeks.

He is also 6ft 9in, and says he "struggles in a world designed by and for people of average height".

A council spokesperson said: "Staff have visited [Mr Rushton] to discuss various options that we can offer to support his waste and recycling collection."

Mr Rushton uses one wheelie bin for all his waste and recycling

NHS worker Mr Rushton had a major fall six years ago which left him with spinal injuries.

He said: "The bottom box is virtually at ground level and I can't reach that far down because of my spinal problems and arthritis."

Mr Rushton is waiting for double knee surgery and walks with the aid of two canes.

"I struggle in a world designed by and for people of average height," he said.

Mr Rushton said council officials offered several alternatives to the trolleyboxes including "hessian sacks" and putting tables outside his home but he said they weren't practical.

The stackable boxes replaced mixed recycling wheelie bins across Denbighshire last summer.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire council said despite its efforts "Mr Rushton referred the matter to the Ombudsman, however the complaint was not upheld."

A spokesperson for the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales confirmed it is currently assessing a new complaint from Mr Rushton.

Mr Rushton said his medication's bulky packaging meant he produced a lot of waste despite living alone and his bin is "overflowing by week two".

He worried that his health could be further affected if the rubbish is left uncollected for a month: "I have health issues and the worst thing is the possibility of rats.

"I think I'm not alone - there's been a lot of complaints about waste building up and the possibility of rats and I don't think the council are taking any of it seriously."

Miranda Evans, business and partnerships manager with Disability Wales said disabled people encounter a variety of issues with recycling.

She said: "Some may be visually-impaired, so the colour coding of bags can be problematic for lots of people, and those that are physically disabled have difficulty carrying and moving the refuse to the appropriate spot.

"That needs to be taken into consideration when developing these schemes across local authorities in Wales."

Mr Rushton feared overflowing bins would attract rats

Weekly pick-ups of stackable recycling bins began in Denbighshire on 3 June but delays in collections meant thousands of homes were bypassed.

Residents aired their frustration on social media, calling the recycling system a "shambles" and "a joke", and urged the council to "get your act together".

Mr Rushton said the council's recycling changes need a "rethink".

"They need to accept there is an issue and maybe bring back the old system for those that can't utilise it," he said.

"If not - then a larger capacity bin."