South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) reports that most waste collections are currently running as normal. The waste team’s well-tested service disruption plan is now in place.
The waste contractor, Biffa, has suffered some staff shortages due to illness and self-isolation but is managing this by redeploying staff and using agency drivers.
However, with new crew members unfamiliar with the routes and in some cases fewer staff, it’s likely that on occasions, crews might not be able to complete all of their daily rounds and so some bins might not be emptied on their usual collection day.
The advice for residents is as follows: if the bins are not emptied, leave them out for up to three days (including weekends). If still not emptied, bring them back in and they will be emptied on the next planned collection day.
SODC is working with Biffa to prioritise critical waste services. To help with this plan, some non-essential services have been suspended, including new bulky waste bookings, new garden waste subscriptions and investigating abandoned vehicles.
It is also recommended that residents wash their hands before and after taking the bins out to practice good hygiene for themselves and our bin crews.
SODC is prioritising food, rubbish and clinical waste collections and some elements of street cleansing, including emptying litter bins.
Garden waste services may have to be suspended to focus on essential waste collections, as other councils have. If this is the case, residents will be advised through social media and council websites.
All Household Waste Recycling Centres are closed until further notice.
