Skellefteå municipality has released a statement on its website, acknowledging shortcomings in waste management across several areas.
The municipality writes, "We are currently receiving many reports to customer service about garbage that has not been emptied, and states it is aware of the problem."
According to the municipality, the issues stem largely from a lack of staff and administrative errors. The recently introduced waste management system has also contributed to misunderstandings and problems.
The municipality urges residents whose garbage has not been collected as expected to contact customer service. They are currently in dialogue with contractors handling certain areas and are working to resolve issues within their own organisation.
However, residents are advised that it may take a few extra days for collection. They recommend leaving containers out even if they aren't emptied on the scheduled day.
Readers have also contacted Norran regarding unemptied garbage cans in areas around Byske, Fällfors, and Medle, indicating the widespread nature of the problem.
In Selforsen, there is a community of five households that share two garbage bins. Previously, garbage collection worked perfectly fine – but since May, the bins have only been emptied once. Now they are overflowing and smelling. Rotting food waste from a month ago makes the stench unbearable.
– The smell attracts flies, then the fly larvae come. Foxes, rats, birds come. It's so disgusting that it's impossible to describe, says Kalle Morén, 59, a resident of the association.