The GMB cleansing convenor has raised concerns about the working conditions members are subjected to at Polmadie recycling centre and says the situation seems to be getting “out of control”.
08:18, 29 Dec 2025Updated 08:18, 29 Dec 2025
“We control it, then it gets worse again. We get pest control in but I think there are just far too many rats.”
Glasgow’s bin men might collect rubbish but they don’t deserve to sit in it, says a trade union convenor who claims the Polmadie depot is overrun with rats.
GMB cleansing convenor Chris Mitchell has raised concerns about the working conditions his members are being subjected to at the recycling centre and says the situation seems to be getting “out of control”.
Chris claims that despite attempts to control the vermin, they are still managing to chew their way through the cabins.
He said: “The Polmadie depot is absolutely vile. We caught two rats chewing through the wires in the supervisor’s office, chewing through vehicles, and hiding in some of the cupboards.
“So we have had pest control in, but it just seems to be out of control now – and you actually find small dead rats, which is not very nice.
Polmadie Recycling Centre in Glasgow’s southside (Image: GOOGLE)
“There is a bush behind Polmadie, that leads into Toryglen, and within the bushes there are loads of rats.
“It is totally unacceptable for people who have to work in the waste complex, have their dinner, wash in it. It’s not a good situation.”
Chris says cladding has been installed around the cabins but that it just seems to be getting worse.
He continued: “We control it, then it gets worse again. We get pest control in but I think there are just far too many rats.
“There needs to be a complete overview, a complete overhaul of the depot to find out how they are going to get over this.
“We are going to have to scrape the whole depot back, cut vegetation and find the source where the rats are actually breeding and try again. That doesn’t seem to be happening.
“We need more than a bait box. We need to continue to bait the area but unfortunately that is the situation we are in.
“Bin men and women might pick up the rubbish but they don’t deserve to sit in it.”
Polmadie Cleansing Depot
Glasgow City Council says it is monitoring the situation closely and progress is being made by the pest control team.
A spokesman said: “We are aware of this issue and the area is currently under intensive treatment from our pest control team.
“We are seeing clear signs of progress with the intervention from pest control and we will monitor the situation closely.
“Old and unused equipment will be moved on to assist with the effort to ensure the depot is kept in good order.”