Possible delays to household waste collection as crews battle hot weather
Waste crews are being encouraged to take more drink breaks in response to the mini heatwave the county is experiencing this week. This may mean collections will be slightly later than usual, but residents are being asked to put bins out and leave them out as collections will happen.
With temperatures predicted to reach highs of 30oC in some parts of the country, Buckinghamshire Council has been advising its recycling and waste crews to look after themselves by taking regular breaks and drinking plenty of water.
Bill Chapple OBE, Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member Environment and Climate Change, said: “The job is very physically demanding and we want to ensure that our teams look after their personal health and wellbeing not only for themselves but so that we can maintain a full service while the temperatures stay high.
“We are asking residents to put their bins out as usual and leave them out – we may collect later than usual, but we will collect!”
With the hot weather and easing of lockdown restrictions more families and groups of friends are getting together for barbecues and picnics. If using a disposable barbecue make sure it is fully extinguished by pouring plenty of water or sand onto it. Do not place a disposable barbecue in a rubbish bin until it has cooled down completely.
Also, batteries can cause fires in collection vehicles so, rather than putting them in the bin, recycle them instead by putting them in a small bag on top of your bin on collection day. The crews will collect them separately.
Should any resident have questions about their bin collection they can go to the council website for more information: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/bin-collection-recycling-and-waste/household-bin-collections/