Fed up residents say new waste operator is failing to deliver as wheelie bins “keep breaking to pieces”.
Those living in the Ashford district have been plagued by months of disruption since Biffa was replaced by contractor Suez at the end of March.
Now neighbors say their problems are getting worse as the bins are being “gradually destroyed” as they are collected.
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) says reports of damage are not higher than in previous years, but residents say they are now at their wits end.
Irene Mitton, from Kennington, who recently paid £120 for two garden bins, says both were damaged just days after she ordered them.
She also only received one replacement bin on June 25 – despite requesting two on June 7.
A Park Road resident explained: “Do the new workers have any training in handling the bins?
“They still distribute in the exact same spot all the way around the basket.
“I’m 73 and I have a drive that allows me to move baskets from one end to the other.
“So if I can drag them, I’m pretty sure a huge truck can lift them.
“Either the bins or the trucks are no longer suitable because the division happens in exactly the same place.”
The ABC recently increased its garden waste collection fee by 33%, charging residents £60 per bin instead of £45.
But while the cost of replacing a garden waste bin remains free, a new recycling or household waste bin will set buyers back £31.50.
Ashford resident Trevor Watson says he is “furious” after seeing both his garden and household bins damaged this month.
“The new Suez contractors have gradually destroyed my brown bin and seriously damaged my black one since they were collecting for the ABC,” he said.
“I see the others on the street were also behaving the same way.
Another Ashford resident commented: “My garden waste was collected and my bin smashed to bits. I have lodged a complaint with the ABC.”
Neighbors have been plagued by collection problems since Suez became Ashford, Maidstone and Swale’s sole waste provider for the £152m contract.
The company’s controversial service has led to rubbish piling up on the streets and hundreds of complaints from annoyed homeowners about late collections.
In a statement, the ABC said it was “currently experiencing a delay in the delivery of bins” but was “working to reduce this”.
“The bins that require replacement are due to natural wear and tear and normal waste collection,” the spokesman said.
“The number of bins requiring replacement is proportional to previous years with regard to age and the expected increase in replacements.
“If a resident’s garden waste bin breaks, they have to fill out a form on our website and request a new one.
“We provide replacement garden waste bins for free regardless of how they break.
“We are currently experiencing delays in bin deliveries and are working to reduce them.
“Our normal delivery time is 10 working days [and] we are currently at 10-15 business days.”
KentOnline has approached Suez for comment.