Due to very high temperatures expected this week, Colchester City Council will temporarily suspend glass and garden waste collections and begin the remaining mixed recycling and rubbish collections at 6am, one hour earlier than the usual 7am, from Tuesday 23 June for the rest of the week.
Glass recycling and garden waste collections being suspended (23 to 26 June) will allow crews to focus on food waste, mixed recycling and rubbish collections.
This means we’re asking you to place your mixed recycling, rubbish and food waste bins out by 6am on your collection day. Please do not place your garden waste or glass recycling out for collection this week (23-26 June) and instead put it out for collection on your next scheduled day.
Temperatures across the city are set to exceed 35 degrees Celsius this week, and the council took the decision for the safety of its collection crews. These high temperatures make working conditions difficult for crews and the early start gives them more time to work in the cooler part of the day.
Recycling and rubbish collections may continue to change during the week as we assess the situation and make sure our crews stay safe. We are asking residents to check the council website for updates this week before putting their recycling and rubbish out. With lower temperatures forecast for Monday 29 June onwards, the council will resume all collections and return to the starting time of 7am.
Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Waste, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, but the safety of our staff is extremely important to us, and we trust you will understand why these decisions have been taken.”
Further updates will be shared on the council’s website.