Denbighshire residents are being asked to dispose of single-use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face coverings, in their non-recyclable waste container.
The COVID-19
pandemic has seen an increase in the volume of single-use face coverings and
other PPE, which cannot be recycled.
All single-use
PPE, such as face masks or disposable gloves, should be treated like other
products likely to have come into contact with the human body, such as tissues
or baby wipes, and placed in the black bin or pink sack for disposal.
All
Denbighshire’s non-recyclable rubbish is safely incinerated at a purpose-built
facility in Deeside.
Cllr Brian
Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the
Environment, said: “Thanks to the tremendous effort of our residents, almost
two-thirds of the rubbish we produce in Denbighshire is recycled.
“In December,
we had a record-breaking month delivering 1,214 tonnes of recycling from blue
bins. For most of our rubbish, recycling is the best possible option and
contributes hugely to the protection of our environment, which is a priority
for the Council under our Corporate Plan. None of our black bin waste is sent
to landfill, instead it is being used as a fuel to generate electricity.
“However,
paper-based face coverings or masks cannot be recycled, even if the packaging
suggests they can. It is vital all materials with which we have personal
contact are placed in the black bins so they can be safely disposed of without
further human contact. This is always the case, but it is especially important
during this pandemic.”
If you are
self-isolating, or there is a confirmed case of COVID-19, at home then the council says it will continue to collect your rubbish as normal. However, please ensure
that any personal waste is double-bagged and allowed to stand for 72 hours
before putting it out for collection in your black bin or pink sack.
The council
also advises everyone wipes down the handles and lid of their collection bin
before and after every collection and to thoroughly wash hands after dealing
with any rubbish.
It adds that personal
products that should be put in the black bin or pink sack include, but are
not limited to, disposable masks, gloves, other PPE, tissues, paper hand
towels, disposable wipes, cotton wool, cotton buds, disposable nappies,
incontinence products, feminine hygiene waste, plasters, dressings, toothbrushes,
combs or any item that has been in close proximity to any person in your
household.
