Changes to waste collections from Monday 6th April

To protect Highland Council staff, and prevent the spread of Coronavirus on waste collection routes social distancing measures have been improved in line with guidance and in discussion with union reps.

From the start of next week, Monday 6 April, there will be reductions in staff travelling in the same cab and crews will also have access to soap and water, alcohol-based sprays or wipes, gloves and other materials for them to maintain a high standard of hygiene.

This will obviously result in routes taking longer to complete. In addition, due to the current high level of staff absence across teams, the council have informed us that they may need to suspend some services at short notice. Any such changes will be publicised on the Council’s website and social media channels.

To help keep the collection service operating as smoothly as possible, householders are being urged to do their bit to help by regularly cleaning bin handles and lids; washing their hands before and after touching bins and presenting bins with lids closed and with no side waste to avoid the crews unnecessarily needing to touch bins and bags.

The guidance requests that people leave their bins out, by 7am on their regular day of collection. If your bins are not emptied by 5pm please take them off the street and present them again on the next scheduled collection day. Regular updates will be provided on the Council’s website and social media.

If any households are self-isolating then they should make sure that all waste items that have been in contact with individuals with symptoms, for example, used tissues and disposable cleaning cloths, are disposed of securely within disposable bags. When full, the plastic bag should then be placed in a second bin bag and tied. These bags should be stored for 72 hours before being put out for collection. Other household waste can be disposed of as normal.

If your refuse bin is full please store excess bags safely in a shed or garage until your next collection.

The refuse collection crews are unable to pull out bins from gardens for households that are self- isolating. Please see the guidance on what to do with your rubbish whilst self-isolating.

If your bins are not emptied by 5pm please take them off the street and present them again on the next scheduled collection day. Regular updates will be provided on the Council’s website and social media.

The Highland Council’s waste and recycling crews across the Highlands have been bolstered this week by the many messages of thanks and support from households.

Cllr Henderson said: “I cannot praise our crews highly enough for the terrific job they are doing at such a challenging time for us all. I know that the support members of the public have given really means a lot to them.”

Currently the Council’s Bulky Uplift and Garden Waste service has been suspended until further notice. All Highland Waste Recycling Centres are closed and textile Bank servicing by charities across all sites has stopped. Commercial rubbish and recycling collections for businesses premises are operating as normal across the region.