County's advice on how to prepare waste for collection

Denbighshire County Council is advising households on the best way to prepare waste for collection during the coronavirus outbreak.

Food, blue and black bins are continuing to be collected as normal, but residents are being asked to help protect council staff.

Members of the public can assist by keeping their distance from waste collection crews to keep them safe and to keep waste containers as clean as possible, cleaning bin handles and lids before and after collection.

Research suggests the virus can stay alive on some waste items, like plastic, for up to 72 hours.

Cllr Brian Jones, the Council’s lead member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “Our waste collection staff are continuing to provide this vital service to residents. To ensure their safety, and to help keep the service running, we are asking residents to help by preparing their waste for collection in the safest way possible.

“If anyone in your household has any symptoms, please store your waste for at least three days before your collection day. Only waste that is three days or older is safe to put out for collection if members of your household have symptoms.

“If you do have symptoms, waste such as tissues and personal hygiene waste should be placed in a bag and tied and then placed in a second bag and tied. Again this type of waste is only safe to be only put out if you have stored it for at least three days prior to collection.

“I’d like to thank residents for co-operating during this time.”

Residents are reminded, whether they have symptoms or not, not to put tissues and paper based wipes in your recycling, they must be bagged put your black bin/pink disposal sacks. Tissues are not accepted as part of the Council’s recycling programme.