Coronavirus in Edinburgh: Garden waste collections suspended

Binmen to focus on general waste and recycling from April 7

Garden waste collections are suspended from April 7

GARDEN waste collections are to be suspended across the Capital as the coronavirus crisis continues to cause widespread disruption to public services

City chiefs announced brown bin pick-ups will stop from next Tuesday (Apr 7) to protect essential services and the health of frontline workers and residents.

The numbers of loaders per truck has been cut so they can stay two metres apart - meaning more binmen and lorries are needed to focus on the collection of kerbside and communal general waste, food recycling and dry mixed recycling.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “As a result of the current situation, non-statutory garden waste collections will be suspended until further notice, along with kerbside glass (blue box) collections, which were stopped earlier this month.

"We’ll be in touch with households who have paid for this service about how we'll compensate them for the reduction in service once we know the extent of the disruption.

“We’re working extremely hard to continue providing essential services to people living here, and our waste collection crews are doing a fantastic job.

"However, their health is of utmost importance so it’s important that we adapt service provision to protect their safety.

“This latest change will allow us to keep collecting most bins while giving teams the space to practise social distancing, limiting the potential spread of the coronavirus.

"I want to reassure the public that we’re doing everything we can to keep essential services running as close to normal as possible while looking out for the needs of the people who work for us.”

Only one loader, as opposed to the usual two will now accompany the driver in each truck so they can stay the recommended distance apart.

Bosses are also bringing in contractors to help out with collections as well as reassigning staff from cleaning teams.

Residents with symptoms of coronavirus are urged to follow guidance on how to dispose of waste correctly to help protect the safety of bin collection crews.

Other measures introduced to protect workers include more hand sanitiser, hot water handwashing points in vehicles, washing down of lorries at the end of shifts and efforts to encourage social distancing in depots.

Bosses vowed to contact all those who registered for garden waste collections to update on arrangements via letter or email, depending on how they signed up.

Green-fingered residents are urged to continue recycling garden waste by using a compost bin if possible - with tips and advice available on Changeworks’ website.

Gardeners are warned not to put more waste into already full brown bins as the contents will start to compost and could become too heavy to empty when services start again.

Tory councillor Jim Campbell questioned the suspension of garden waste collections when projects such as the city centre transformation go ahead.

"What will happen to the payments made in good faith expecting this service to be delivered?" He asked. "Why are we not making sure we're getting the services locals care most about?

"Why not designate community collection points at street ends or the like, so a collection was still possible?

"After all, gardening is one of the things some citizens are still able to do, and helps them through this crisis. The community could help - why would the council not want to ask the communities what they could do?"