Waste and recycling collections continue as usual in Tendring

Rubbish and recycling collections across Tendring are continuing as normal.

Although the situation is under constant review, to ensure the service can continue to operate under pressures placed on it by Coronavirus (Covid-19), at present Tendring District Council’s contractors Veolia can maintain a full service.

The service for most households is made up of weekly collections of food waste, fortnightly collections of black bins, and alternate weekly pick-ups of recycling.

In line with the established system, only households with authorised side waste or a second bin will have additional bags collected.

Michael Talbot, TDC Cabinet member for Environment, said the service would be maintained for as long as possible.

“We’re aware some nearby councils have made changes to their waste collection arrangements as part of their contingency plans, and of rumours circulating in Tendring that we have stopped taking recycling,” Cllr Talbot said.

“However, for now our collection arrangements remain unchanged. I must emphasise ‘for now’, as we are reviewing the situation daily and if we see a temporary reduction in staff due to Coronavirus then we may have to scale back accordingly.

“We understand some residents are calling for us to accept an extra bag of waste, particularly as Essex County Council-run household recycling centres are closed. However, the amount of extra waste this would mean we could not complete our normal rounds.

“Therefore we ask that if households make the use of social distancing to have a clear out, then to bear in mind they will have to look after this excess waste potentially for some time.

“We would remind residents to continue to reduce and reuse, as well as recycle, and to also use our bottle banks and other recycling sites while out on their daily exercise or shopping trip – as part of any essential travel.”

If households believe they are eligible for additional side waste – usually if they are a large household, or create a lot of medical waste such as nappies – they can still apply online at www.tendringdc.gov.uk.

Residents should continue to report missed collections as usual.

Cllr Neil Stock OBE, TDC Leader, added: “Our waste and recycling crews have been putting in sterling work to maintain collections despite staff absence caused by self-isolation and other factors, and on behalf of everyone at the council and in Tendring I want to thank them for their dedication.”

Keep up-to-date on how Coronavirus is affecting waste collections, and other council services, at www.tendringdc.gov.uk/coronavirus – which also contains links to Love Essex top tips on storing waste.

30/3/2020

NEWSDESKS

For more information on this news release contact Tendring District Council’s Communications Manager Will Lodge on 01255 686338.