Uttlesford District Council have issued a Press Release detailing the changes to the refuse collection services over the festive period.
Changes to festive bin collections allow hard-working crews to take a break
Uttlesford District Council is advising residents of some important changes to the bin collection schedule over the festive season.
There will be no bin collections made during the week of Christmas (week beginning 21 December).
The schedule will then move so that collections of the green-lidded recycling bin and food caddy can be made in the week following Christmas (from Tuesday 29 December) – however, there will not be any bins collected on New Year’s Day, with collections instead being made on Saturday 2 January 2021.
The revised schedule not only helps to overcome a number of operational issues, including the limited opportunity for the refuse vehicles to tip waste at the transfer station (this is where the waste has to go before it can be sent for recycling), it has the additional benefit of enabling the hard-working collection crews to take a well-deserved break.
Cllr Louise Pepper, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Green Issues, said: “The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been felt everywhere, including for our recycling and refuse crews who have had to work under difficult circumstances, particularly in the early part of the first lockdown.
“Nonetheless, they have continued to keep this important service running throughout. We are pleased to be able to provide this opportunity for them to enjoy an extended period of rest and relaxation with their families over Christmas.”
Cllr John Lodge, Leader of the Council, added: “Residents really showed their appreciation for the crews during the first lockdown, as they did for other frontline workers such as the NHS. The messages and notes of thanks were much appreciated and went a long way in helping to keep up morale at a difficult time.
“I would like to thank residents for their ongoing support of the recycling and refuse crews, and I’m sure they will understand this decision to suspend bin collections in the week of Christmas in order to recognise the efforts of these much-valued members of staff.”
The revised schedule means recyclable waste will be removed in the week immediately after Christmas. If residents find their recycling bin gets full before their collection date, they can use a plastic bag (not black bags) or a cardboard box for their extra recycling – these can be placed out next to the recycling bin ready for collection.
Collections of the black-lidded bin will resume in the week beginning 4 January.
Residents can stay up to date with recycling and bin collection news by subscribing to the e-newsletter service via www.uttlesford.gov.uk/keepmeposted, or by following the council on Facebook or Twitter (search @UttlesfordDC).
For more information about recycling, reducing or reusing waste, or to see the recycling centre opening times over Christmas and New Year, visit www.loveessex.org.