Waste Services Update and Managing Household Waste During COVID-19 Pandemic

6 Apr 2020 5:21 PM -

Leeton Shire Council is committed to continuing to provide essential waste services to the community while also safeguarding the health and welfare of residents, waste contractors and workers during the COVID - 19 pandemic.

Council reassures residents that kerbside waste services will continue to operate as usual. Residential general waste bins (red lid) and recycling bins (yellow lid) will be collected as normal. Residents are asked to ensure bins are placed on the kerbside the night before the scheduled collection day. 

Council and its waste contractor, J R Richards, have implemented measures to safeguard the health and safety of their workers, contractors and residents.

“There are also some simple actions residents can take to further reduce the potential risks to those working in the waste industry,” said Council’s Waste and Recycling Coordinator, Guy Retallick. Examples include:

-  Lining all household garbage bins with a bag.  These should be firmly tied or secured before they are placed in the kerbside general waste bin (red lid).  Residents are asked to avoid throwing loose household waste materials into the general waste bin.

-  Ensuring all disposable paper products such tissues, wipes and paper towels are placed into a lined bin and firmly tied before disposing into the general waste bin (red lid).

 -  Disposing recyclable materials into a separate unlined receptacle.

Once recycling bins (yellow lid) are emptied, the recyclable materials are taken to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) for sorting and reprocessing.

“Workers are continuing to do their jobs to ensure recycling efforts still make a            difference.

It is therefore extremely important to ensure that general waste materials are              separated from those that can be recycled and that the right materials are put in the recycling bin,” said Mr Retallick. For a list of acceptable materials for each bin,  visit Council's website.

Council also notifies Shire residents that the Leeton Landfill is currently operating as usual.

When attending the landfill, residents are asked to follow the instructions issued by staff and adhere to the below landfill rules to ensure everyone’s welfare and safety:

- Limit the number of people attending the landfill to a maximum of 2 per vehicle. 

- Remain in your vehicles while waiting to be processed over the weighbridge.

- Practice social distancing rules when unloading waste.

- Ensure you wash your hands or use hand sanitiser as soon as practicable after visiting the landfill site.

“Council would like to thank residents for their cooperation." 

For further information on Council’s waste services and facilities, please contact Council’s Waste and Recycling Depot on 02 6955 6384.