East Suffolk residents urged to follow bin rules as lockdown causes more waste
East Suffolk Council says there's been a rise in "bad bin etiquettes" recently
Last updated 2nd Feb 2021
Residents in East Suffolk are being reminded to follow bin guidelines as more waste is created during lockdown.
The district council says there's been a rise in issues during national Covid-19 restrictions, including overflowing bins and incorrect items placed in them.
Councillor James Mallinder, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "With more people spending time at home due to national restrictions, we’re seeing more household waste than ever before, putting added pressure on our refuse teams. Unfortunately, we’re also seeing an increase in bad bin etiquettes, which can not only prevent the refuse team from collecting waste but be a nuisance to neighbours and obstruct footpaths.
"Our refuse teams are working extremely hard under very difficult circumstance, so it is very important that we all do our bit to help them provide this essential service that we’re all relying on more than ever and there are some very simple guidelines we can all follow to do so."
The authority is asking people to follow the below guidelines:
- Put bins out by 6am on collection day
- Recycle via the blue bin where possible
- Place bins at the boundary of your property
- Don't force too much waste into a bin as it can stick to the sides
- Ensure bins contain the correct items to avoid refusal
- Ensure the lids on bins are closed for collections
- After collection, take bins in as soon as possible to avoid obstruction
The council is also asking residents to consider the environment by ensuring everything is recycled correctly if possible and waste is avoided.
Cllr Mallinder added: "East Suffolk Council declared a climate emergency last year and we all have a role to play in making better decisions for the sake of our environment. By thinking about how we dispose of our waste and making the right decisions, we all contribute to a solution. These small changes in our behaviour will make a big difference over time."