BASILDON Council is informing residents that glass collections will be suspended on Wednesday 24 June and waste and recycling collections will start earlier than usual on Wednesday and Thursday due to the forecast extreme temperatures.
With a red weather warning in place and temperatures expected to reach up to 38°C, the council is taking temporary measures to protect waste and recycling crews working in challenging conditions.
To provide additional capacity and enable crews to complete the remaining waste and recycling collections as early as possible, glass collections will not take place on Wednesday 24 June. Residents are asked to hold on to any glass bottles and jars until their next scheduled collection. Glass bottle banks and Barleylands Recycling Centre remain available for those who wish to dispose of glass in the meantime.
In addition, all waste and recycling collections will begin from 6.30am on Wednesday and Thursday. Residents are asked to ensure all containers are presented for collection by 6.30am.
The temporary changes have been introduced to reduce the amount of time crews spend carrying out physically demanding work during the hottest parts of the day, while helping to maintain essential services across the borough.
Cllr George Jeffery, Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, said:
“The safety and wellbeing of our crews is our top priority. With temperatures expected to reach exceptionally high levels, we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend glass collections and start other collection rounds earlier so crews can complete their work before the hottest part of the day.
“We appreciate that the suspension of glass collections may cause some inconvenience and would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding. These measures will help us continue delivering essential services safely during this period of extreme weather.”
The council will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates if further changes are required. An update will be issued on Wednesday regarding whether glass collections will also be affected on Thursday 25 June.
Residents can stay up to date with collection reminders and service updates through the Our Streets app.
