Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, there may be changes to recycling and waste collection services in Essex.
These changes are being put in place to ensure Coronavirus is not spread via your waste.
How to get rid of your waste if you are either self-isolating or confirmed to have Coronavirus?
Anyone who needs to self-isolate should get rid of their waste in the following way to ensure the virus is not spread via personal waste:
- Individuals should place all personal waste such as used tissues and disposable cleaning cloths, securely in a plastic bag or bin liner.
- This plastic bag should then be placed in another plastic bag and securely tied.
- These bags must be stored separately to other waste for at least 72 hours before being placed in the general rubbish collection.
After 72 hours outside the body the virus is no longer viable and the double bagged waste can be put in the general rubbish collection as normal.
Only waste that is heavily contaminated, such as tissues that have been coughed in and cleaning cloths that have been heavily contaminated need to be treated in this way. Regular household recycling and waste should be treated as normal.
Please note, individuals who are self-isolating should not visit any recycling centre.
Changes to recycling and waste collections
Due to potential increases in staff sickness levels, some recycling and waste services may be impacted.
This may result in general rubbish and food waste collections being prioritised and other services being suspended at short notice, such as recycling or bulky waste collections.
You can keep up to date with your waste and recycling services in your area through the pages below:
Epping Forest District Council
In the event of staff shortages, kerbside collections will be prioritised across the county. This may mean that recycling centres have to close so staff can be reallocated to other locations.
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