By Fatma Younis
The Conservative-run London borough of Hillingdon plans to remove 700 dedicated dog-waste bins to save £100,000 a year, asking owners to use general litter bins instead. The move has triggered strong opposition from residents who fear a surge in dog fouling across the area.
Residents fear 'dog shit everywhere'
Daniel O'Neill, chief road steward at the Ruislip Residents' Association, said Hillingdon's dogs produce about 174 tonnes of faeces annually. He warned that without dedicated bins, "everybody's going to have a Christmas tree of dog-shit baubles in their front garden." O'Neill created an AI-generated image of a tree decorated with coloured waste bags to illustrate the likely outcome.
Council cites financial pressure
The borough's debts are rising by £5.6 million a year, with a schools grant deficit of £101.5 million. The government has expressed "serious concerns" about Hillingdon's finances. O'Neill argued that raising council tax to the London average would bring in £26 million, but the council has frozen tax for years and instead targets the bin service.
Opposition councillor calls move 'desperate'
Labour councillor Sital Punja, who walks her springer-poodle daily in Ruislip woods, said the bin removals dominate conversations among dog walkers. She noted existing dog bins are already overflowing and general bins lack lids, causing smells and attracting foxes. Punja described the decision as "desperate" and a "harebrained idea" from a council unable to balance its books.
Council defends plan
Cabinet member for residents' services Wayne Bridges said the change would more than double disposal capacity by using nearly 1,500 ordinary litter bins. He stated that many councils already allow dog waste in general waste streams and that the move integrates collection into existing street cleansing, saving £160,000 with £60,000 reinvested in street cleaning.
