Households warned over ‘wave of waste’

A “WAVE of waste” will emerge from households in lockdown in the coming weeks, district councils have warned.

The District Councils’ Network (DCN) is urging people to think twice about how much waste is being put out – and not to burn it on bonfires.

Families are generating more waste and recycling while they obey Government orders to stay at home to help curb the coronavirus pandemic.

In some cases extra waste is coming from households which have stocked up on food and other goods they need, the DCN says.

At the same time many town halls have had to reduce some rubbish and recycling collections, such as garden waste, as staff need to self-isolate or to recover from illness, and have closed recycling centres or dumps.

The network wants residents to work with their local authority to best manage the perfect storm of swelling amounts of waste and challenges in collecting it.

While many people will be using the current period as an opportunity to spring clean their home or do gardening, the DCN is asking residents to consider how they can store waste or have it safely collected at the moment.

The DCN is also warning against burning rubbish, especially hazardous waste, on bonfires, which can contribute to air pollution.

The network’s Dan Humphreys said: “These are challenging times for everyone in the country right now, and all of our public services are being overstretched as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

“Alongside many other frontline services, the efforts of our waste collection staff should be applauded, as they are playing a key role in helping to keep the country running during this difficult period.

“Make no mistake, councils and their contractors have plans in place to try and ensure that everyone’s bins are collected.

“But we would ask the public to play their part, too. Where possible we would ask residents to think twice about how much waste is put out – such a small step could make a huge difference.

“With millions safely staying at home, many producing more waste than normal, and a risk that our waste collection workforce suffers staff shortages, we have to be careful and prepared to manage a potential wave of waste.”