GREEN WASTE COLLECTIONS TO RESUME ACROSS CHESHIRE WEST

Residents will be pleased to see the return of the Green Waste collection service in the borough from 4th June 2020.

In Cheshire West & Chester Council our Green Waste collection service is standalone, with our food waste recycled separately, meaning it was classified under Government DEFRA guidance as non-essential. The Covid-19 pandemic necessitated the suspension of all non-essential services.

Suspension of non-essential services was vital to protect staff from exposure and reduce the spread of the virus. The Labour administration has been working hard behind the scenes to remobilise the service but is mindful that residents will appreciate that nothing is more important than ensuring the safety of council staff who live and work in our communities. The Council faced many challenges in response to the pandemic, including staff shortages and new ways of working to accommodate social distancing.

Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways & Strategic Transport said:

“The Council are aware of the importance and value of the Green Waste service to residents but at the beginning of the pandemic, there was a need to prioritise residual waste and recycling as a statutory service. New guidance around safe working practices is currently being worked through as we move into the recovery phase. The Labour administration will always regard the health and safety of its operatives as paramount, we should remember that these are the same key workers many of us are clapping on our doorsteps every week.

We have taken a safety-first approach in all decision making and will continue to review the provision of services in line with good practice. We would like to thank all our residents for their patience at this difficult and challenging time.”

Although it is non-statutory, Cheshire West & Chester Council has always provided this additional service to residents. Councillors are residents too and understand first hand that full green bins are unpleasant and far from ideal. The pandemic has required all of us to make sacrifices and residents are to be commended for their understanding.

The provision of Green Waste collections will remain under review.