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We are asking for your help and to think about our crews who deal with your waste during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Lots of our staff are still working to keep our streets clean and free of rubbish during this challenging time. They can’t work from home, which means they could be more likely to come in contact with the virus.
How are we supporting them?
We are providing all the necessary equipment and doing everything we can to enable social distancing by driving crews individually to their rounds and asking them to make sure they stay 2m apart as much as possible. However, we do have staff who are off ill or need to self-isolate. This is putting a strain on the services we provide.
You can help keep everyone safe and the waste service operating by doing the following:
Putting the right things in the right bin
We have seen an increase in the amount of non-recyclable and potentially hazardous items being placed in grey recycling bins. Protective equipment such as overalls and masks should be placed in the general waste (green) bin. If you have come into contact with anyone who is ill or self-isolating, your overalls and masks should be double-bagged and only placed in the green bin after 72 hours.
Double bagging personal waste
If you are ill or self-isolating please double bag any personal waste, for example tissues and anti-bacterial wipes. This waste should be kept separate from the rest of your rubbish and only put in the bin after 72 hours
Park sensibly on collection days
As more people are staying at home there are more cars on our streets, which makes it really difficult for our bin wagons – they are large and difficult to manoeuvre. Please leave room for them to get down your street on your collection day.
Washing your hands before and after touching your bin
We should all be washing our hands more often, and especially before and after touching something that other people might touch. By washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water before and after handling waste containers you can help keep your family and our crews safe.
Being responsible with your waste
We understand that closing the household waste sites means you might want to contact a professional to take your waste away, however it is essential that you only use a registered waste carrier. Ask to see their licence before you agree to hand over your waste. If you don’t and your waste ends up fly-tipped it’s you who could end up with a big fine.
Reduce and reuse as much as possible
We are aiming to keep collections running as normal for as long as possible, but now is a good time to start trying to reduce how much waste you create and how much you throw away.
Reduce your food waste
Now more than ever, we should be wasting as little of our food as possible.
Composting
During this period of self isolation and working from home, many people are finding they have more time to do things they’ve been putting off for years.
If you’ve never done it before, why not consider setting up a compost bin – it will help get rid of all your peelings and gardening waste and as a result you’ll make your own compost which can enrich your soil.
Our compost bin supplier is still working and delivering – check out their latest deals
Praise for our bin crews
Here are some more of the lovely notes, pictures and gifts left for our bin collection teams. They genuinely appreciate every single one as they continue to work hard in difficult circumstances. Some of the people you might see emptying your bins at the moment are Council staff who usually work in services that are now closed because of the coronavirus.
 Helpful coronavirus links
Government advice: what you need to do
NHS coronavirus advice and information
Bradford district coronavirus advice and information
Support for businesses
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