Councils cut back bin collection services after staff shortages

Councils are leaving bins to overflow after their services are dramatically cut back services because of staff shortages due to the coronavirus.  

Several local authorities have told residents that their rubbish cannot be collected as often, with some choosing to stop some recycling collections until May.

Pictures revealed waste from communal rubbish bins spilling onto the road outside a blocks of flats in east London today, as the coronavirus outbreak continues to escalate in the capital.

Councils are leaving bins to overflow after their services are dramatically cut back services because of staff shortages due to the coronavirus

Several local authorities have told residents that their rubbish cannot be collected as often, with some choosing to stop some recycling collections until May

Several local authorities have told residents that their rubbish cannot be collected as often, with some choosing to stop some recycling collections until May

Cambridge City Council this week announced they were suspending collection of their ‘green’ food and garden waste bins.

But several homeowners questioned why the council were leaving food to rot in  streets while they continue collecting recycling bins.

‘Due to the #Coronavirus outbreak, green bin collections are being suspended from Monday. Not collecting green bins will allow our hard-working crews to focus on emptying blue and black bins,’ the council said on twitter.

It comes after Bright and Hove Council left residents furious by telling them to dispose of their own rubbish after bin collections had been missed ‘because of coronavirus’.

People have been told to take to their own waste to the tip rather than wait for bin lorries, as their drivers have been self-isolating, it has been claimed.

It has also urged people with cars to take the rubbish of friends and neighbours who are unable to do so.

The move by Brighton and Hove Council has infuriated residents – specially the elderly – who have no means of disposing of rubbish.

Bright and Hove Council has left residents furious after authorities told them to dispose of their own rubbish because bin collections had been missed 'because of coronavirus '.

Bright and Hove Council has left residents furious after authorities told them to dispose of their own rubbish because bin collections had been missed ‘because of coronavirus ‘.

Eileen French, 75, said: 'What are the elderly supposed to do. We have bins overflowing into the streets and no way of getting rid of it'

Eileen French, 75, said: ‘What are the elderly supposed to do. We have bins overflowing into the streets and no way of getting rid of it’

Eileen French, 75, said: ‘What are the elderly supposed to do. We have bins overflowing into the streets and no way of getting rid of it. I think it is disgraceful the council has made this announcement so soon into this crisis.

‘Coronavirus raises all sorts of public health concerns and the council seems to be abdicating responsibility.’

The council made the announcement after a torrent of complaints about missed bin collections this week.

It said Cityclean – which collects household bins – will no longer be able to catch up on missed bins.

Brighton and Hove Council made the announcement after a torrent of complaints about missed bin collections this week

 Brighton and Hove Council made the announcement after a torrent of complaints about missed bin collections this week

It also warned traders may have to place their waste in communal bins if Cityclean’s resources dwindle.

Instead the city council is encouraging residents to take waste to recycling sites in Hove and Brighton.

Ellie Wood, who loves in the city, said: ‘At times of stress it is up to the council to try and maintain basic services. Rubbish strewn across streets is a clear sign of civil breakdown.

Another resident said: 'This the exact moment they should be going the extra mile, for all of us, including themselves'

Another resident said: ‘This the exact moment they should be going the extra mile, for all of us, including themselves’

‘The council has a responsibility to maintain collections not just from a health and hygiene position but also to reassure residents that there won’t be some total deterioration of services.’

Another resident said: ‘This the exact moment they should be going the extra mile, for all of us, including themselves.

‘If refuse starts piling up in the streets, other diseases will spread, put extra strain on the NHS. The bin collectors will not escape these consequences either.’

A spokesman for the council the bin service’s telephone hotline to report uncollected bins will close from Monday.

It said Cityclean - which collects household bins - will no longer be able to catch up on missed bins

It said Cityclean – which collects household bins – will no longer be able to catch up on missed bins

They said they had also suspended all garden waste collection for two weeks and the cancelled litter enforcement.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove Council said: ‘We will be unable to catch up on missed work. If a collection is missed, residents’ next collection will take place on their next scheduled collection day if possible

‘Residents can take any type of waste to the two Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRS). This can include taking friends and neighbours waste if they can’t get there by car.’

Families across other parts of the UK could see disruption to their bin collections as the coronavirus pandemic continues to have an impact on everyday life. 

Families across other parts of the UK could see disruption to their bin collections as the coronavirus pandemic continues to have an impact on everyday life

Families across other parts of the UK could see disruption to their bin collections as the coronavirus pandemic continues to have an impact on everyday life

On Thursday, Cambridge City Council announced it would suspend all garden waste collections from Monday until May 4.

The council said on its website: ‘The suspension of green bin collections will allow crews to concentrate on emptying blue and black bins during the coming weeks.

‘It will also assist with any future staff sickness or self-isolation issues.’

Other councils are also following suit, including Cheshire West and Chester, and Derby City Council, the latter of which has also suspended bulky waste collections.

Derby City Council said it predicts the coronavirus pandemic will also affect recycling and general waste collections in the coming weeks.

Local authorities are asking residents who are self-isolating to place personal waste - such as used tissues and cleaning materials - into a plastic bag before disposing of it into a second bin bag

Local authorities are asking residents who are self-isolating to place personal waste – such as used tissues and cleaning materials – into a plastic bag before disposing of it into a second bin bag

A spokesman from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: ‘The Government stands ready to do whatever is necessary to support councils in their response to coronavirus, and we are working with them and the waste industry to ensure that waste collections are prioritised to protect the environment and human health.’

Local authorities are asking residents who are self-isolating to place personal waste – such as used tissues and cleaning materials – into a plastic bag before disposing of it into a second bin bag.

They are then encouraged to store it safely in their homes for 72 hours before placing it into a wheelie bin for collection.

Hackney Council said this measure aimed to ‘lower the risk of the virus being passed on’.

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: ‘As councils prioritise protecting the vulnerable, there will be inevitable disruption to other important services, such as bin collections and street cleaning.

‘Some councils are having to change their waste and recycling services as coronavirus impacts on their collection staff.’

Residents are encouraged to visit their council website for ongoing updates on bin collections.

 

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