The city's two transfer stations are experiencing an overload of rubbish due to an 'issue” with a truck being unable to move waste.

SunLive was alerted to the large amount of rubbish overflowing at the Te Maunga station by a resident who had been told to tip their trash on the concrete, as trailers were unable to be tipped into the pit.

Rubbish backs-up at the Te Maunga Refuse Station. Photo: Supplied.

When contacted, Envirowaste staff said there was no problem and that rubbish was cleared daily.

But BOP Regional Council, which monitors the contract with Envirowaste Services, was called to the Maleme Street transfer station on Tuesday due to reports of a strong odour – sourced to a dumped load of mussels.

Because of the truck issue at the weekend, the rubbish was unable to be moved promptly giving the mussels time to get their smell on.

Staff at Maleme Street were instructed to stop accepting rubbish until they had caught up with the weekend's work, dealt with the odour and completed a wash-down.

In the meantime rubbish was diverted to the Te Maunga transfer station, which would have been temporarily full, says Bay of Plenty Regional Council Senor Communications Advisor Linda Thompson.

The problem was dealt with by 5pm Tuesday and both sites are back to normal now, she says.

'They have been issued with a field sheet for poor compliance, but they have a very good record with no complaints. This appears to have been a temporary hitch,” says Linda.