Driver shortages hit green bin collections

THERE will be further disruptions to bin collections this month due to the national driver shortage and staffing levels.

Trafford council has announced that due to a reduction in staff caused by coronavirus, it will not be possible for every green bin scheduled for collection in October to be emptied.

Last month it was warned that a lack of drivers could see problems with bin collections across the country “lasting up to and beyond December”.

While the council said the ‘majority of residents’ will be able to receive their green collection on time each week, there are continued challenges that are affecting a few.

In a statement, a spokesperson for

Trafford council said: “Due to the continued reduction in staffing levels caused by Covid and the national driver shortage, One Trafford will not be able to empty every green bin scheduled for collection this month.”

On the council’s website, the authority thanked “residents for their patience”.

The website added: “We are currently unable to collect some green bins on our daily rounds because of continued sickness and self-isolation of waste operatives and lorry drivers.

“With infection rates rising in the borough, we expect continued challenges to our green bin collection service.

“In addition, we are finding it difficult to bring in staff from agencies to cover for our staff due to shortages both locally, and nationally.

“The majority of Trafford residents are still receiving a green bin collection each week. “Where a collection round is dropped one week, the service will not drop it the following week, to ensure residents are not going longer than 14 days between collections.”

We are finding it difficult to bring in staff from agencies to cover for our staff due to shortages Trafford council