Warning refuse changes could mean delays to rubbish collections in Highlands
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A number of changes have been made today in line with national guidance on how Highland Council workers will be collecting waste in order to protect themselves during the Coronavirus emergency.
Local authority chiefs have said this will involve improved social distancing measures in line with guidance and in discussion with union representatives.
The council has reduced the number of staff in each waste vehicle cab to a driver and one other person, with the third operative travelling in a separate van to carry out collections.
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.
A Highland Council spokesperson said: "This will obviously result in routes taking longer to complete.
"In addition, due to the current high level of staff absence across our teams, we may need to suspend some services at short notice. Any such changes will be publicised on the council’s website and social media channels."
Councillor Allan Henderson, chair of the council's communities and place committee, said the authority was now operating in unprecedented times.
He commented: "Although every effort will be made to minimise the impact these changes will have on the completion times for routes, keeping our staff safe and looking how to best manage our limited resources has to be our priority.
“I ask everyone to be understanding as changes are made.
"We all have a role to play and people can greatly assist by following the Covid-19 waste and recycling guidance we have publicised to keep our teams safe.”
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 bins are not emptied by 5pm then take them off the street and present them again on the next scheduled collection day.
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.
