Hundreds of homes in Rochdale go without bin collections as Covid hits workforce

Household Waste Bin and Recycling Bins

Update 24.06.2021: 

The council is now able to collect these missed rural paper bin rounds from this afternoon (Thursday 24 June) and should be caught up by end of play Saturday 26 June - leave your paper bin out until then.

Hundreds of homes in ‘rural’ parts of Rochdale borough did not have a bin collection this week due to the workforce being hit by Covid-19.

In a tweet on Tuesday evening (22 June), the council apologised for failing to collect paper recycling in Middleton, Bamford and Norden – and advised there would also be disruption the following day.

More than 1,500 properties were affected over the two days.

The authority has confirmed the problem was caused by crew members testing positive for Covid-19, with colleagues also having to isolate as a result.

Martin Taylor, head of environmental management, said: “We needed to suspend two rural/narrow access collection rounds scheduled to collect paper and card on Tuesday, June 22 and Wednesday, June 23 due to staff shortages. 

“Both crews working these rounds have needed to self-isolate due to two crew members testing positive via our regular FAST testing programme, even though both were asymptomatic.”

Mr Taylor said the health of refuse workers had to come first, but steps were being taken to to get on top of the situation.

He added: “Staff wellbeing is our priority, but by pooling resources, we will try to collect these missed paper and card collections on Saturday 26 June and Monday 28 June. 

“We ask all residents to keep up to date with any bin collection changes via our social media channels or website.”

Rochdale borough residents can find further information at rochdale.gov.uk/bins.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter