Spring cleaning by households in lockdown is putting extra strain on bin collections.

Refuse services are carrying on as normal during the coronavirus crisis, but council bosses in Maidstone have noted an increase in waste being left for kerbside pick-up since the nation was confined to home last month.

They believe house-proud residents are taking this unusual time as an opportunity to de-clutter - leading to an increase in rubbish being put out for the bin men to whisk away.

The council has committed to continue collecting any excess recycling households are generating as a result of being on lockdown at home. However, bin men have been told to leave some waste behind, which has angered one Maidstone resident.

Chris Twyman, a self-employed construction manager, is upset that extra rubbish he and his two children have produced since lockdown began will not be taken.

The 45-year-old, who lives in Loose Road, said: "There's a lot more waste being created at home, but they left my bin. Their view is that its nothing to do with them, but I can see there being a build up of waste occurring at homes across Maidstone."

Writing in response to a complaint submitted by Mr Twyman, Graham Gosden, waste manager at Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), said: "The crews are instructed not to remove excess black bag waste, but we have asked that they continue to remove excess recycling, provided it is sensibly presented in a cardboard box or similar.

"This is in line with the fact that the majority of the extra waste generated by people staying at home is generally packaging, bottles, cans, paper or card, which is recyclable through our current system.

"Over the last week we have noted an increase in waste tonnage as some residents take the opportunity for a clear out.

"We are asking that residents resist this urge as our rounds are designed around the usual waste tonnage, a considerable increase will reduce the speed of collection, increase the number of trips per day and reduce the number of properties each crew can service each day.

"The resulting delays may have service impacts for you, your neighbours and other local residents."

This situation is not helped by the fact Kent County Council's household waste and recycling centres (HWRC), such as the Burial Ground Lane tip in Tovil, are closed until further notice thanks to the Covid-19 outbreak.

There has also been a 20 per cent increase in the amount of garden waste being produced, as warmer temperatures encourage people to get outside and tidy up.

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