The City of Brighton and Hove is grappling with a persistent issue that has left residents frustrated and their bins unemptied. Despite the council's efforts to improve collection rates, thousands of bins are still being missed each week, particularly in areas like Patcham, Hollingbury, Rottingdean, and West Saltdean. This problem has sparked a heated debate among local politicians, with the Conservative leader, Alistair McNair, labeling the situation as "appalling" and residents expressing frustration over the lack of automatic catch-up collections.
The Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) has invested £1.3 million in its environmental services, implementing digital monitoring and acquiring new vehicles and equipment. However, the results have been mixed. While the overall collection rate has improved to 98% for about 200,000 rubbish bins in 12 out of the first 26 weeks of 2026, there are still significant challenges in certain areas.
One of the key issues is the unpredictability of missed collections. Residents in Patcham and Hollingbury have reported being without bin collections for up to four weeks, which is a stark contrast to the council's efforts. The Labour cabinet member for environmental services, Tim Rowkins, acknowledges the various reasons for missed collections, including vehicle breakdowns, staff shortages, sickness, access issues, and severe weather conditions. However, he emphasizes the council's determination to meet the city's service expectations.
The Independent councillor, Mark Earthey, highlights a similar problem in Rottingdean and West Saltdean, where workers running out of time often result in roads being missed at the end of the rounds. This accumulation of delays and glitches in the system has led to a backlog, particularly in Saltdean, according to Earthey.
In North Portslade, the Independent councillor Peter Atkinson notes that general rubbish and food waste collections have been satisfactory. However, recycling collections have been an area of concern. Atkinson emphasizes the importance of an efficient service with quick catch-up collections to regain residents' trust in a potential two-weekly refuse collection system.
While the council's efforts to improve the collection rate are commendable, the persistent issues in certain areas have left residents feeling let down. The debate over the effectiveness of the council's strategies and the need for better communication and accountability continues, as residents demand a more reliable and responsive waste management service.
