Public can play its part in supporting waste collection and the environment

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson has issued a heartfelt thanks to all Renfrewshire residents for helping to support the continuing waste collection service and the local environment.

Despite operating with a reduced workforce, the Council continues to provide the normal waste and recycling collection service – collecting 141,000 bins a week.

That includes brown bin collections for garden and food waste, the blue recycling bin for paper and card and the green bin for plastic, cans and glass.

In line with the national guidance to stay at home and help to save lives, our Household Waste and Recycling Centres remain closed and residents are asked to store bulkier items and any excess waste safely.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “I would like to thank the waste collection teams for their incredible commitment and hard work at this really difficult time and I know from the kind messages we’ve received that our residents recognise and appreciate their efforts too.

“We understand people may have more waste than normal and unfortunately we cannot open recycling centres as it’s vital we follow the national public health guidance asking residents to stay home and save lives.

“Thanks to all our residents for their patience and understanding as our teams continue to work through these challenging times.

“Please do your bit wherever possible to assist us by recycling correctly, and you can increase the amount you can get in your bin by flattening cardboard for the blue bin and squashing any plastic bottles, milk cartons or cans going into the green bin.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a plea to residents to store refuse safely, their website highlighting simple measures to protect residents from the risk of fire at this time.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, added: We know it’s the time of spring cleaning, but we’d ask people to avoid activity that results in generating additional waste at this time.

“With your help we can keep Renfrewshire clean and safe for everyone. Use our usual collection service and store any additional items safely away from any heat sources, ideally in a safe locked location or if outdoors, keep it away from your property.

“In line with advice from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, please do not get rid of garden or other waste by burning bonfires. We want everyone to be able to enjoy their garden during periods of nicer weather and the smoke can pose a risk to people’s health, particularly the vulnerable and those with respiratory problems.

“We haven’t seen an increase in fly tipping and our CCTV patrols continue to visit hot spots and take enforcement action. It is not only illegal; it’s damaging to the local environment and any incidents should be reported by calling 0300 300 0300 or online using our website. Please remember that if you hire a contractor to take away waste, you must ensure they are SEPA registered and ask where they will dispose of it.”

Staff from the Council’s Environment and Infrastructure service are currently deployed in a range of roles to support the ongoing effort to support Renfrewshire residents during the Coronavirus outbreak. This includes teams delivering more than 37,000 meals to residents during lockdown, packing bags and managing the request hotline.

Councillor McEwan added: “I’m so proud of the many teams deployed in different roles to ensure support reaches those most in need at this tough time.

“We are following the national guidelines and staff are only deployed to deliver essential frontline services, which means a number of day-to-day environment and infrastructure services such as road resurfacing have been suspended, but we will still respond to essential emergency repairs.

“Renfrewshire residents have been brilliant in following the vital public health guidance to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. I’d urge everyone to keep up the good work and continue to exercise in open spaces close to home. Visit the council website for all the latest information and top tips to help maintain your health and wellbeing.”

All the latest information, help and advice on Coronavirus is published on the Council website: www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.