‘It’s embarrassing us on an international scale!’: Disgust as Edinburgh bin strike rumbles on for ninth day and becomes ‘public health risk’ – as Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy admits it is ‘deeply concerning’ while residents put rubbish in their BATHS
- Public Health Scotland warned Edinburgh’s bin strike poses a health risk as waste builds up across the city
- Refuse workers are nearing the end of the strike from August 18 to 30, which has targeted the Fringe Festival
- Nicola Sturgeon said the government does not have a ‘bottomless pit of money’ to resolve the dispute
- Edinburgh residents have put rubbish in their baths and paid £200 for skips in their desperation
Health bosses have said the Edinburgh bin strike poses a ‘risk to public health’ as Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy admits the situation is ‘deeply concerning’.
Public Health Scotland said people could be at risk as the bin strikes cause food, animal waste (from food or excrement) and human waste (such as nappies) to build up.
They also recommended councils to ‘decontaminate’ overflowing bins in public areas to reduce the health risk.
Refuse workers are striking from August 18 to August 30 – targeting the Scottish capital during the Fringe Festival.
Refuse workers in Edinburgh are striking from August 18 to 30, causing piles of rubbish to build up in the city. Pictured: overflowing bins in the Grassmarket are joined by wheelie bins from disaster charity Rapid Relief Team
Public Health Scotland said people could be at risk as the bin strikes cause food, animal waste (from food or excrement) and human waste (such as nappies) to build up. Pictured: rubbish next to the Forth Bridge in Queensferry
Public Health Scotland also recommended councils to ‘decontaminate’ overflowing bins in public areas to reduce the health risk. Pictured: bins in the Calton area of Edinburgh, off Leith Walk, yesterday
They are now over halfway through the ’embarrassing on an international scale’ strike that has left bins overflowing throughout the city.
Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy, John Swinney admitted the piles of rubbish are ‘deeply concerning’ as the city overflows with filth.
Mr Swinney said: ‘I think the condition of the city of Edinburgh just now is deeply concerning on a host of levels, not least in relation to public health.
Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy, John Swinney admitted the piles of rubbish are ‘deeply concerning’ as the city overflows with filth
‘So I acknowledge the significance of the issue, which is why I want to see the industrial action resolved, why I would prefer it didn’t spread to other parts of the country.’
What can I do to limit the health impacts of the overflowing bins?
- When handling waste at home, people should always wash hands thoroughly.
- Where possible, organic waste and medical waste should be stored in containers.
- If containers are not available, waste which is likely to rot or decompose should be double bagged.
- The public should avoid contact with refuse in public areas.
- The accumulation of waste may increase fire risk so households may wish to consider their fire safety preparedness
- Source: Public Health Scotland
He went on to insist the government are doing ‘all they can within the resources available’, including providing £140million to council to help fund a deal.
Conservative local government spokesman Miles Briggs said the strikes are down to Nicola Sturgeon’s underfunding of local councils and stripping money from essential services since coming to power.
He said: ‘The SNP have been underfunding local councils and stripping money from essential services since they came to power, yet they have the brass neck to try and dodge responsibility for this shambles.
‘In the middle of summer, with the Edinburgh Festival in full swing and tourists visiting all corners of the country, the SNP’s inaction and deflection risks embarrassing us on an international scale.’
Staff in a further 20 council areas have now joined in with the strike after talks on Thursday met with no resolution.
Unions rejected a five per cent wage increase earlier this week, which they called ‘insulting’.
Wendy Dunsmore, from the union Unite, said it needed to match the £1,925 rise given to government workers in other parts of the UK.
Edinburgh residents have had to put rubbish in their baths and pay £200 for skips to help them get rid of their rubbish.
Helen Sikora, 87, from the Old Town in Edinburgh, told The BBC that she has had to start putting her rubbish in her own bath.
She said: ‘I came up with the idea myself as it’s the safest place to put rubbish. If it then leaks then it’s easy to clean my bath. I use the local health club every day to go swimming, so I don’t need to use my shower.
‘It’s absolutely disgusting going out shopping now and seeing the rubbish all over the pavements, it’s just dreadful.
‘I don’t accumulate a lot of rubbish, but I’ve had this in my bath for six days. it’s going to be a health hazard soon.’
One rubbish pile is so large it is thought to stretch 100 feet down Montgomery street in Edinburgh.
Ms Sturgeon said the government does not have a ‘bottomless pit of money’ to resolve the dispute.
Helen Sikora (pictured), 87, has said that she has been putting her rubbish in the bath for a week
Staff in a further 20 council areas have now joined in with the strike after talks on Thursday met with no resolution. Pictured: Overflowing bins in Castlehill, a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh castle
Unions rejected a five per cent wage increase earlier this week, which they called ‘insulting’. Pictured is a picket line outside Bankhead waste and cleansing depot in Edinburgh
Wendy Dunsmore, from the union Unite, said it needed to match the £1,925 rise given to government workers in other parts of the UK
A 100ft line of bins and piles of rubbish were seen in the Calton area of Edinburgh, off Leith Walk yesterday
Rubbish sitting on the top of a bin near Edinburgh castle on August 24. The strikers are now in their tenth day
Other cities have also been affected by the bin strikes. Pictured are overflowing bins on Buchanan Street in Glasgow
Ms Sturgeon said the government does not have a ‘bottomless pit of money’ to resolve the dispute. Pictured is more rubbish building up in the city today
The rubbish piled high in Edinburgh has been an ‘international embarrassment’ as the city hosts the annual Fringe Festival. Pictured: A bin in Edinburgh on August 23
The strike in Edinburgh began after workers were offered a 3.5% pay rise, which is less than what refuse collectors in England receive
Bin lorries were seen parked in a depot on August 24 as workers belonging to the Unite Union continue their bin strike
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