Bin collections
Coronavirus (COVID-19): impact on household waste and recycling collections
We're working closely with our partner Veolia to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on household waste and recycling collections. However, some collections have been unavoidably delayed as we will catch up as quickly as we can. This may result in your collections taking place on a different day from your normal date. Where we are not able to collect normally, we will prioritise these areas to catch up as quickly as possible.
We have a higher level of sickness absence than usual, and are using more temporary workers to ensure collections are completed. Regrettably, this is resulting in a higher number of collection errors than usual. You can report if your collection is not made on the day it is due. Please avoid phoning or emailing us as it will take longer for your enquiry to be processed. We'll reach you as quickly as possible if your collection is delayed.
We already have plans in place to deal with possible changes, such as reduced staffing levels or any future restrictions on travel and movement. If there are any changes to our normal services, we'll update this page to let you know.
The following impacts can be expected:
- normal household waste collections might be 1 to 2 days later than usual for some areas
- requests for containers - new bins and bags, will take longer to deliver
- bulky waste booking are suspended - we will catch up on any outstanding bookings as quickly as possible
- other waste services are operating normally
You can help us maintain services by:
- not approaching our crews while they are working; we should all of us keep a minimum of 2 metres away from everyone else to reduce the risk of passing on infection, and this includes our crew as well - for all our protection
- making sure your bin is left in an accessible location, where our crew can easily reach it, and it isn’t obstructed with any other items
- ensuring that you put the correct waste in each bin and do not contaminate the bin contents; our recycling crew can’t collect contaminated bins
- check the page for missed collection services for the latest information and advice
not calling us to report a missed collection, or logging a missed collection online unless absolutely necessary; this can take up capacity and slow down our systems to cause further service delays
What to do with your waste if your household is self isolating
Households that are self isolating should follow the government stay at home advice:
- store personal waste such as tissues and disposable cleaning cloths within disposable rubbish bags
- place these bags into another bag, tie securely and keep separate from other waste
- put these bags aside for a minimum of 72 hours (3 days) before you put them in your general waste bin
- do not take this type of waste to the reuse and recycling centre
Page last updated: 13 January 2021