Dundee City Council leader John Alexander has urged locals not to fly-tip as piles of rubbish are dumped outside recycling points during the bin strike.
Refuse workers in the city and other parts of the Tayside region have been taking part in industrial action since last Wednesday.
Some have resorted to fly-tipping huge piles of waste — including furniture, cardboard and mattresses — at closed recycling centres.
John Alexander has slammed the behaviour, which has sparked public health concerns and fears about attracting vermin.
Mr Alexander told The Courier: “It’s unacceptable that people are fly-tipping and exacerbating the issue.
“There are real risks with that type of behaviour and potential damage to the environment
“We all need to try to help the city by taking our rubbish home with us, not adding to the problem.
“That is, of course, in addition to getting a deal that avoids strikes.”
His comments come after trade unions rejected a fresh pay offer tabled by Cosla – which is handling negotiations on behalf of councils – on Monday.
It means the current Dundee and Angus strikes will continue until Wednesday night as planned.
And unless a deal can be struck, a second wave of strikes is due to take place across Scotland, including in Dundee, Angus, Fife and Perth and Kinross, in September.
Mr Alexander said: “Because of the fact that negotiations are national and any agreement has to be national, I am equally as frustrated as everyone else.
“I understand the trade unions wish to protect and support their members, I share that wish but I’m also concerned at the recent rejection as there is no more resource within council coffers.
“The potential disruption to the city looks set to continue and that is bad news for everyone.
“We’ll keep working on an offer which is acceptable to trade union colleagues in the hope that further strike action can be avoided.”
Fly-tipping a ‘public health emergency’, say locals
Members of the public have also spoken out against the rise in fly-tipping in Dundee.
One woman wrote on social media: “Shame that they go on strike and have to come back to this.
“Keep your rubbish until they go back. We need to support our bin men.”
One man posted online: “I went to Baldovie recycling centre yesterday, totally forgetting about the strike, the amount of rubbish that has been left at the gates is ridiculous.
“Lots of fines I think will be happening with the amount of cameras they have.”
Another local said: “Absolutely no need, keep your rubbish until the strike is finished.
“I have a boot full of stuff for the dump which will remain in my boot until the skip is open again.”
Others suggested the issue was a “health hazard” and a “public health emergency”.
Mr Alexander added: “There’s no getting away from the fact that the current strike action is having a huge impact across Dundee and the rest of Scotland.
“That is, after all, what strike action is supposed to do – maximum disruption.
“The streets are disgusting, absolutely filthy. Bins are overflowing and our city centre looks like a tip.
“It’s unacceptable and I wish I could do more to address it, it’s of little consolation that it’s affected most of Scotland.
“I think everyone is appreciating, more than ever, how important waste staff are. We already knew this but now we have a viable reminder.”
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