A SHELTERED housing resident says her lovely flat with a harbour view is being spoiled by overflowing bins.

Sylvia Mcainsh, who lives in Hanover Sheltered Housing in Saltcoats, said that ever since the council reduced collections to once every three weeks the general bins have been spilling waste on to the ground.

The 74-year-old, who has rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, said: “The bins used to get emptied every week, then every two weeks, now every three weeks.

“By the end of the three weeks they’re overflowing, it’s disgusting.

“Sometimes they won’t take a black bag if it’s lying at the side of the bins.

“We have to put the black bags into the empty bin so it starts off a quarter full.”

Ms Mcainsh said the residents of the block are elderly and have disabilities, but still make use of the blue, purple and brown recycling bins.

Despite this, the recycling bins are mostly empty while the lid of the general waste bin cannot be shut.

She said: “I just think it’s ridiculous. It attracts rats and mice. It’s a mess, it’s horrible.

“I’ve got dermatitis, so I have to put on gloves to go to the bin.

“It was never like this before and I’ve lived here for seven years.”

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “The three weekly collection cycle for grey bins came into place in April 219. We are happy to arrange for a Waste Awareness Officer to visit the residents to discuss and resolve the issue.

“Over 70% of the items contained within the average grey general waste bin in North Ayrshire could have been recycled.

“By utilising the blue, purple and brown recycling bins correctly, there should be sufficient capacity within the grey bin for a three-weekly collection.”