Hillingdon Council is to scrap all 700 dog poo bins to save £160,000 without any public consultation

Hillingdon Council approved the plan on October 22 without a formal public consultation, drawing immediate criticism from local residents' groups. The Conservative-run west London authority says bagged dog waste can safely go into standard litter bins or household rubbish, with stickers reading "I can take dog waste too" to be applied to bins in parks and dog-walking spots. Of the £160,000 saved each year, £60,000 will be redirected to extra street cleaning to manage any increase in fouling.

The council's own report acknowledged a risk of increased dog fouling but said signs and enforcement could manage it.

Ruislip Residents' Association warned some dog bins already overflow under the current collection service.

The 700 bins collect 14.5 tonnes of dog waste a month — all of it now to go into general waste streams.