The bins not being emptied in Thornton Heath Rec has been blamed on parks staff not being paid the London Living Wage.

The bins were not only overflowing but had been taken out of their units and left in this state (see picture) for a week.

Cllr Timothy Godfrey, cabinet member for parks whose department monitors the contractor, said: “IDverde cut the wages of the team doing park cleaning. Result is obvious. What’s the motivation when you are paid below the London Living Wage. This contract ends later this year, a real opportunity to shift gear.”

In reponse IDverde have set up an email to report overflowing park bins: CroydonCleansing@idverde.co.uk