“Please stop putting tissues in the recycling!” Council plea to Flintshire residents

Flintshire Council has called on residents to stop putting used tissues into the paper and cardboard recycling bags to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.

Council collection crews have reported an increase in the number incidents where tissues have been disposed into the open recycling bags over the few weeks.

In an appeal to residents, Flintshire Council deputy leader and cabinet member for Streetscene & Countryside, Carolyn Thomas, said:

“Please stop putting tissues in the recycling!

If anyone has the virus, any tissues should be bagged and left for 72 hours before being put in the black bin.

They should go in the black bin, sealed in a bag if in self isolation!

Please help by flattening cardboard, rinse cans & bottles before recycling, be tolerant, kind and show support for the crews out there on the frontline working hard in difficult circumstances to help keep services running.”

[Incidents of used tissues being thrown into the blue bags have been reported in Flintshire]

FLINTSHIRE COUNCIL ADVICE:

To help avoid contamination and to protect our staff, residents can help by making sure that all black bin waste is bagged and all food waste is sealed inside the compostable bags and properly store the bags inside the appropriate bin.

Residents are advised to follow the published advice on handling waste if your household is displaying symptoms of Coronavirus.

If you are experiencing the main symptoms – a new, continuous cough and/or a high temperature – please be very careful when disposing of your personal waste (including used tissues and disposable cleaning cloths/wipes) at home.

Please do NOT put any tissues, disposable cloths, and masks (if worn) in the recycling. 

All waste that has been in contact with any self-isolated individual should be double-bagged and tied to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The government advice for disposal of this waste is as follows:

• Personal waste such as used tissues, disposable cleaning cloths and masks should be placed securely within disposable rubbish bags.

• These bags should be double-bagged i.e. placed into another second bag, tied securely and kept separate from other waste.

• Children, pets and pests should not be able to access this place. Waste should not be left unsupervised on the pavement awaiting collection.

• This should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in your usual external household waste (black) bin.

If your household is self-isolating because someone has viral symptoms, please do not put your recycling out for collection for 14 days. After 14 days, you can put out your recycling as usual.

Please ensure that recycling items such as glass, cans and plastics are washed thoroughly before they’re put out for collection. This will provide reassurance to our crews when it comes to separating and emptying the boxes.

If possible, please clean the handles of the bins / containers before placing them out for collection.

Don’t forget to wash your hands before you put out your bin and recycling containers, and again as soon as you bring them back in.

Please do NOT interact with the crews under ANY circumstances.

Last week saw a reminder not to flush wet wipes, as the infamous shortage of toilet paper caused by coronavirus-inspired panic buying meant people were buying those instead. Elsewhere in the UK there has been reports of issues with blocked drains and clogging filters already.

Note that sewerage companies are only responsible for public sewers so any blockages in the home system will be the responsibility of individual householders.

You can read more from the council’s latest update here.