COVID-19: Bin collections – update for Friday 25 June

Waste and recycling crews at North East Lincolnshire Council are back on track after some delays during the past few days.

Update for Friday 25 June

Crews have fully caught up on rounds for household waste, recycling and garden waste.

Teams from other parts of the Council stepped in and helped complete the rounds after an increase in local coronavirus cases.

Cllr Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for transport and environment at the Council, said:

“Waste and recycling crews have worked hard to catch up after some minor disruption earlier in the week.

“I’m grateful to all the crews and those assisting from other teams for pulling out all the stops to complete this week’s rounds.

“I’d also like to thank those who have had to wait an extra day or so to have their bins emptied for their support and patience.”

Measures in place to reduce disruption

The Council is taking steps to make sure we empty bins at all households.

Waste collections are a priority for the Council and we are actively moving workers from other areas as well as using agency staff to deliver the service.

However, waste staff handle large weights, mechanical hoists and operate on the highways, which means that any new staff entering the service need to be trained and supervised for a short period before being able to join our existing rounds.

This makes it difficult to respond to sudden changes in staffing such as when staff are required to self-isolate at the same time.

There has been little disruption to waste and recycling collections so far this year but that has changed with the increase in local cases.

If you believe your bin has been missed, please report it at www.nelincs.gov.uk/bins. You can report missed collections from 2:30pm until the following midday.

Key workers

Waste crews are key workers and changed the way they work during the early stages of the pandemic.

A series of safety measures were put in place to limit the spread of the virus. Safety measures include:

• Daily health checks and regular COVID-19 tests
• Keeping different crews apart from each other throughout the day
• Extra cleaning of surfaces that staff regularly touch
• Disinfecting vehicle cabs
• Strict limits on the number of staff in depot buildings
• Extra gloves have been provided
• Changes to the way staff arrive and leave the depot and how information is handed out.

North East Lincolnshire Council continually reviews the risk assessments and precautions as the situation unfolds and will implement any further advice provided by Public Health officials.

Putting out your bins

When putting out your waste and recycling bins, there are a few steps you can take to make sure you are doing this as safely as possible:

• Keep your distance when our workers are collecting your waste and recycling.
• Disinfect your bin or box handles, before and after collection.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling your bins or boxes.
• Put wipes, cloths, gloves, etc. used for cleaning your bags, bins, boxes and caddies into your green bin, as these can’t be recycled.

If you’re self-isolating and feeling unwell, double-bag your personal waste (such as tissues) and put aside for at least 72 hours (3 days) before putting them out for collection.

• Do not put tissues into your recycling as they cannot be recycled.
• Disinfect your bag, bin, box and caddy handles before and after you touch them.
• Put your bags, bins, boxes and caddies out

Tips on how you can help

• Check www.nelincs.gov.uk/coronavirus regularly for updates on any changes to waste and recycling collections.
• Take any extra rubbish to the Community Recycling Centres (CRC or the tip) in Grimsby or Immingham. Both sites are open from 8am to 6pm.
• Plan ahead and try to cut down on waste. Think about how you are going to dispose of your waste and recycling if services are disrupted.
• Please make sure that all domestic waste is put in sealed bags first and that your green bin lid is firmly closed. Don’t leave extra bags of rubbish with your bin.
• Please put the correct bins out before 7am on your collection day
• Take your bin back to your property after the bin crew has been
• We will collect all recycling that has been presented correctly in the recycling bins with the lids closed
• We won’t empty recycling bins if you put the wrong items in them and we won’t take extra rubbish left with your bins
• All household rubbish that can’t be recycled needs to go in your green wheelie bin with the lid closed