Coronavirus: Are bin collections being affected by the lockdown?

Rubbish tips close in parts of England

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Because of the Coronavirus outbreak, Boris Johnson has told the public they should now only leave the house for several key reasons.

These include travelling to work as a key worker, shopping for food or medicine and taking one form of exercise per day.

Those with underlying health conditions should be self-isolating at home for a period of 12 weeks.

The government has also now closed all non-essential shops, public spaces and services: but how will these measures impact bin collections?

Why might my bin collection service be disrupted?

Due to the new government guidelines, parts of the UK have reduced bin collection services as many members of council staff are self-isolating at home and unable to work.

Several other councils have chosen to close recycling centres in order to prevent people from coming into contact with one another and possibly passing on the virus.

Recycling centres are not considered one of the 'essential' places to be kept open, these are: supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, home and hardware stores, car rentals, pet shops, corner shops, newsagents, post offices, banks, bicycle shops, off licenses and laundrettes or dry cleaners.

Is my area impacted?

In many areas, such as Sheffield and Liverpool, recycling bin collections have been suspended so as to prioritise household waste. Meanwhile, several rubbish tips have also closed.

In Luton, there have been “significant disruptions to services” because 134 members of staff at the local council are self-isolating, the BBC reports.

As a result of the lack of staff, the Luton Borough Council has said it will be collection only black waste bins and green recycling bins.

All rubbish tips have been closed in Hampshire and North Yorkshire, where the council has urged residents not to create more waste by doing DIY projects.

A statement from North Yorkshire County Council said: “While it is tempting to do DIY projects while following the government’s advice to stay at home... avoid creating unnecessary waste until tips can reopen.”

In Leeds, brown bin collections (for garden waste) have been suspended and residents have been asked to stop using litter bins as they will not be emptied until further notice.

As for Manchester, the City Council has said that food and garden bins will be collected fortnightly instead of weekly.

In many areas of London, including Lambeth and Waltham Forest, recycling centres have closed and residents are being urged to keep any bulky recyclable waste at home until they reopen.

Several councils are also asking that people leave their bins on their property as opposed to on the pavements until collections start again.

How can I find out what's going on in my area?

Local councils are keeping residents up to date with their bin collection services on their individual websites.

You can find out what your local council is by heading to the government website.