A RESIDENT claims large companies leaving their rubbish out overnight is one of the main reasons why the streets are littered.

Paul Hay, living near Western Road in Brighton, describes himself as an “avid eco-warrior.”

Since moving to the city centre last year, the 41-year-old builder has been traumatised by the state of the streets.

He said most of the rubbish comes from businesses in Western Road, who leave it out overnight for early morning collections.

“I am in total shock, every morning the roads are caked in rubbish” he said.

“At 6.30 am I walk to my van and I pass Betfred to find betting slips as far as the eye can see.

“At 9pm the same day, I walk past again and to my amazement there is 20 open bags of waste paper already blowing out of control in the wind, no effort to tie them shut. These companies just seem to get away with murder.”

Mr Hay said he challenged staff about the bags left outside and was told “it’s company policy.”

“I am sick of opening my door to plies of domestic waste, but also commercial waste from multi-million pound companies who are not following any rules.

“Subway staff seem to carry their bags of rubbish down the street and dump them next to public bins. Our city is rapidly becoming a place where I and all my neighbours really don’t want to live.”

Mr Hay said the waste he mainly sees blowing down Western Road comes from betting shops, KFC and Subway.

“The only company that seems to have a decent system is McDonald’s. They have trucks that come and pick up rubbish, but KFC have a waste area outside the back and it just piles up and up spills into Stone Street.

“I have spoken to residents there and I feel like someone has to stand up for them because it’s disgusting.”

A spokesman at Betfred said the company will be installing bins that should “alleviate the issues.”

A Subway spokeswoman said the sandwich chain has investigated bags left on the street, and, after working closely with the council and the landlord of the property, the rubbish bags are now properly secured.

A council spokesman said: “We are speaking to businesses along Western Road and advising them on improvements they can make such as using hessian bags, which are slightly more seagull proof. If we feel any waste offence has been committed then we will issue a Fixed Penalty Notice.”

KFC failed to comment before the Argus went to print.