If B&Q is open why aren't recycling centres?

[KeepWashingThoseHands]

My council aren't collecting green bins until at least mid-May, so 6 weeks now. Annoying but I'll manage, but also getting a backlog of loads of cardboard boxes etc. that don't fit in the blue bin which is also only collected every 2 weeks.

I know this isn't the biggest issue but recycling centres are outside, people are fairly apart anyway and we don't want fly tipping. It's really curious what's permitted to be open and what isn't.

So how does it work with private waste disposal sites?

I am admin on a local social media site and we are innundated with adverts for waste disposal companies, all "apparently" registered with environment agency but using private waste disposal sites. Funnily enough fly tipping in the area has also increased. So I am keen that we dont accept adverts from companies that are fly tippers.

I can check the permit number to the Environment agency website but how can I check to see if a private waste disposal site is OK.

We could decline all adverts but it does sound as if there is a current need.

Lots of fly tipping here. I wonder why?

At my centre everyone climbs the steps in single file anyway and puts stuff in the skip. Large items could be left at the side.

It’s not just about users - it’s about the workers, including their travel to get to work. You may be OK but they may not be

Our tip is only taking trade waste and has closed because it isn't an essential journey, luckily all our bin collections are still going.

I wish they would open. Even if you have to apply or something, idk. People have been fly tipping outside my house and the council won't clear it and I have no way to get rid of it myself! It's disgusting.

people still fly tip even if recycling centres are open

Our council is still collecting recycling and food waste bins. Relatively easy service to continue while maintaining social distancing.

Seems they are doing it more according to comments on here.

We’re a large family despite recycling everything we have to go to the tip at least every fortnight as our black bin (general waste) collection is only every 3 weeks.

So in our garden right now we have extra black bags and loads of stuff from a loft clear out. It’s ridiculous.

The council could open the tips with social distancing in place. Our local Homebase opened again this weekend

I'm more surprised that garden centres can't open yet. Similar to large garden sections of DIY stores in many ways and also a good way to keep people occupied whilst at home.

Our next green food bin collection is June. It's usually emptied every week. The non-recycled waste is fortnightly but now we have to put food waste in there too. Luckily we don't have much of it and don't have much garden waste either. For other households it might get pretty unpleasant though.

We're lucky in the NW (Chorley council) - all bins are being collected as normal including recycling, cardboard and garden waste.

For those whose recycling isn't being collected put it with your black bin rubbish.

I read over the last couple of weeks that different things are going on in different council areas and some councils are now incinerating recycling.

My council is still collecting all bins at this point but we have been told it could change at short notice.
Our bin men are normally really good at taking away an extra box of recycling. Not sure if they would under these circumstances.
However I dont see why they cant open recycling centres for non bulky waste only. That way the workers wouldn't have to touch anyone else's things.

Unless the staff at B & Q are redeployed to the tip I don't see the connection between the two things.

My council have said there aren't enough staff to do all the usual collections and open the tips, obviously I know that might not be the same in every area

I wish the tips would open again, obviously with social distancing and safety at the forefront, as people are fly tipping all over the place.

If stores such as B&Q are open then it follows that there is going to be rubbish left over from all those jobs.

I've hired a skip as we've had a massive clear out and I can't wait 'till the tips are open again, but many people won't be able to.

sorry, i still don't see the b&q connection?

people need to take responsibility for their own waste.....if its such a problem then leave the jobs until the tips are all back open again

My area - still collecting all bins as normal. Usually one loader and one driver. Loader often doesn't get in cab, just walks along. Or hangs off the back, not sure if he's supposed to do that

Parents area - recycling and garden waste reduced from fortnightly to monthly. Initially said no garden waste at all then that was amended back to monthly. One driver, 2 loaders, all 3 crammed in a cab over longer distances. They've said they've had far more staff off sick than in our area. Tip workers have been redeployed to cover bin lorry shifts.

B and Q is open.

It's only supposed to be for essential repairs.

Therefore if you are going for a bit of redecorating rather than for repairs technically it's not in the spirit of the lockdown and you might get hassle with the police (I note this isn't explicit in law and therefore not necessarily illegal so definitely in a gray area).

Therefore if its essential repairs only, why is the a problem with extra packaging?

Tips here are closed due to lack of staff. We still have regular collections.

I believe there were some issues about cost of keeping them open and council budgets (or lack of).

Our binmen are socially distancing. Only one in the cab driving, the other follows in a separate vehicle, and gets out to do the loading.

I agree. I always thought waste disposal was an essential public health service - perhaps not for all types of waste but there does come a point where even types of waste not hazardous in small quantities becomes so when it builds up.

It also makes me laugh when I see reports of lower levels of pollution due to lockdown, when actually, as has been noted in only one report that I have seen recently it is actually much worse due to the vast increase in pm 2.5 as people are having to burn garden (and I suspect other) rubbish.

The Sunday before lockdown (22/03) there were gridlocked roads around our local recycling Center, it was closed the next day and has stayed closed. It’s not fair on the staff to be so busy with people which increases the risk to them

They can’t empty/change over the skips when they are full, within social distancing guidelines.

Recycling is normal where I am, and food waste collection too. There has been no change to waste or recycling services. The tip has been closed, but many people don’t have cars where I live - we don’t- so I’m not sure how much that has affected people.

Not all trips to the skip are not essential. I keep a lot of animals that I must clean out, and this waste usually goes to the skip as there is too much for me to compost in my small garden. Now that the skips are closed this waste is piling up and with the heat is becoming very unpleasant.