A new campaign has been launched by the Scottish Government to inform residents about managing their waste where collection services have been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The campaign, launched by the Scottish Government today (27 April) in collaboration with Zero Waste Scotland, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), centres on a new website – managingourwaste.scot – directing householders and businesses to up-to-date-information on how to manage their waste.

UK waste and recycling collections have experienced severe disruption during the Covid-19 pandemic, with staff absences due to illness and self isolation and social distancing measures leading to reduced or suspended services, a course of action Zero Waste Scotland describes as ‘necessary’ to protect the health of waste workers.

In England, surveys by the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) have shown severe disruption to food, garden and bulky waste collections in particular, with 27 per cent of councils experiencing staff absence rates of more than 20 per cent of the workforce.

The Scottish Government’s campaign provides information to residents on how to reduce waste and store some types of waste until collection services and recycling centres begin to operate as normal. Residents in Scotland are advised to check their local authority for the last information on collection services in their area.

Commenting on the campaign, Environment and Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “The new campaign website offers lots of safe ways to help people avoid waste and protect the environment. This includes instructions on safe disposal of certain items and on keeping large items at home until recycling centres open because fly-tipping is not acceptable.

“We all have to make necessary changes to help limit the spread of the virus. By following this advice, we can help those who are working hard to keep our services running.”

Key advice

Zero Waste Scotland has issued the following guidance and a video for householders:

• Wash and squash: Washing reduces contamination and squashing recyclables leaves room for more. Residents are urged to fill bins as much as they can.
• Try home composting: Vegetable and fruit peelings, eggs shells, tea leaves and coffee grounds can go in a standard compost bin and create a natural fertiliser for plants.
• Keep items at home until recycling centres reopen: Now is not the time to try and get rid of large items following a spring clean. Clearing up after fly tippers ultimately costs the taxpayer, leaving less funding for essential services. Residents should report fly-tipping via the Dumb Dumpers form on the Zero Waste Scotland website or reporting directly to the council.
• Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 should follow government advice on securely storing personal waste to help keep themselves and waste management workers safe. This means placing items such as used tissues in a disposable rubbish bag which should be placed in another bag, tied securely, kept separate from other waste and put aside for at least 72 hours before it is put out for collection.

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Refuse collectors are working in exceptional conditions to maintain as many essential services as they can. Now is a good time to avoid wasting so much as this is ultimately the best way to help councils cope.

“Zero Waste Scotland is working with key partners to communicate changes to householders and businesses in Scotland in the meantime. We’d encourage everyone to visit the campaign website to find out how they can best manage their waste.”

Terry A’Hearn, Chief Executive of SEPA, added: “Now more than ever, we need to recognise the responsibility we have for the waste we produce, store, transport and dispose of. We all have a role to play in managing our waste during this period.

“Equally, we will be uncompromising towards those that choose to deliberately do the wrong thing. Remember, services that sound too good to be true often are, and could lead to illegal fly-tipping, burning or illegal disposal.

“We all have a legal responsibility to ensure that only licensed professionals handle our waste. SEPA maintains an online register of licensed waste carriers and brokers enabling the public or businesses to check and ensure that contractors are sufficiently compliant.”

You can view the Scottish Government’s information and advice for residents on the managingyourwaste.scot website.