Rotting garden waste and commodes not being emptied are some of the issues residents have faced as problems with the council’s new waste collection service continue.

Hounslow Council came under fire last month after recycling boxes and garden waste bags across the borough failed to be collected by the new waste contractor, Sita.

At the time, Hounslow’s lead member for environment and planning, Councillor Barbara Reid, said she was taking the issue very seriously and the teething problems would be sorted out as quickly as possible.

However, a month on and a number of residents a still waiting for their recycling and garden waste to be collected.

Eileen Newton, 65, who lives in Great West Road, Hounslow West, has waited six weeks to have her garden waste collected. It was picked up on Tuesday, after the Hounslow and Brentford Times contacted the council.

She said: “I had two bags of garden waste out there since March 6. We don’t want any more excuses. There are bags of garden waste all around here.“ Mrs Newton, who suffers from diabetes, was also left to take her used needles to the doctors to be disposed after staffing issues at Sita meant no one came to collect them.

A council spokeswoman revealed the problem had arisen because of staff illness, which had also affected the waste collection of commodes for a number of elderly and immobile residents.

Brentford ward Councillor Ruth Cadbury said: “Someone from Sita is meant to go round and empty their commodes every week.

“The person in charge was on leave and Sita didn’t put in any replacement. There were people really worried about using their toilet.”

Hounslow’s executive member for adult social services and health, Councillor Pam Fisher, apologised on behalf of the council and said a formal apology would be sent to those residents affected.

She said: “Unfortunately, due to staff illness, there was no collection and disposal for several days. However, as soon as we were notified of the problem, it was dealt within 24 hours, and normal services resumed.”

A council spokeswoman said Sita had experienced some problems with the collection of recycling around Great West Road but these had now been resolved.