Recycling, waste and street cleaning services to continue as normal
Recycling, waste collection and street cleaning services in St Albans District are currently operating as normal during the Covid-19 crisis.
St Albans City and District Council’s contractor Veolia is continuing to provide the essential services for residents.
Both organisations are working to minimise disruption with resources being monitored closely to ensure services can be delivered safely.
Residents are urged to continue using recycling and waste collection services as usual.
This includes non-essential services such as bulky waste collections.
In order to prevent further spread of Covid-19, households that are self-isolating and showing the symptoms of the virus should follow the UK Government's 'Stay at home' advice and ensure:
- Personal waste such as used tissues and disposable cleaning cloths are securely disposed in rubbish bags, and not in paper or card recycling.
- Any bags containing personal waste should be double bagged, tied securely and kept separate from other waste.
- Bags containing personal waste are to be put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in the usual external general waste bin.
To ensure that recycling and waste collection services are delivered as normal, residents are being asked to park considerately on congested roads in order to maintain access for collection vehicles.
Civil enforcement officers – formerly known as traffic wardens – have been instructed to take action only against unsafe or inconsiderate parking.
Residents are also asked not to make unnecessary journeys to Household Waste Centres as these are all currently closed.
Residents should hold onto waste destined for Household Waste Centres until they are reopened.
Those seen to be ‘fly-tipping’ and leaving waste outside the gates of Household Waste Centres or next to local neighbourhood recycling banks could be fined or even prosecuted.
Councillor Chris White, Leader of St Albans City and District Council and Portfolio Holder for Climate and Environment said, “This public health crisis affects us all so we’re asking everyone to pull together. Our refuse collectors are designated key workers and are doing a fantastic job in helping to keep our community safe by continuing their essential environmental health work.”
“Our partners at Veolia are working hard to ensure that services are not disrupted to residents and that this situation is managed. I am assured they are taking all the necessary precautions to keep operatives safe from contamination. Of course, if staff need to self-isolate, some services may need to be reduced. We will continue to monitor the situation over the coming weeks.”
Councillor Contact:
Councillor Chris White, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate and Environment for St Albans City and District Council
Email: cllr.c.white@stalbans.gov.uk
Tel: 01727 845300
Media contact:
Farhana Begum, St Albans City and District Council. Email: farhana.begum@stalbans.gov.uk, Tel: 01727 814638