Monday 9th May 2022 – Waste collection and street cleansing industrial action update
The strike by employees of our waste and street cleaning contractor, Biffa, and whom are members of the GMB union, has continued today.
We have been informed by our waste contractor, Biffa, they are committed to resolving this dispute and will continue to engage with representatives of the GMB union to reach a fair settlement for their employees and the residents of Wealden.
The following are services that will be operating in full or in part today:
- Rubbish collections – Approximately half of the rounds scheduled to empty rubbish bins today are working. Please put your rubbish bin out if you are due a collection today. If it is not emptied please leave it in place for three working days as efforts are being made to catch up on missed rubbish collections. If its remains uncollected after this, please take it back in and use the link below to our questions and answers to find out what to do.
- Clinical waste and sharps box collections – operating as normal
- Bulky Waste Collections – operating as normal
- Bin deliveries and exchanges – operating as normal
- Street litter bins and dog waste bins – operating as normal
The following are services that will not be operating today:
- Approximately half of the rubbish collections (see above)
- Garden Waste Collections
- Recycling Collections
We appreciate this is an inconvenience and concern to residents and we apologise for this situation while Biffa and the GMB union continue to negotiate to reach a fair settlement.
You may have a few questions so please see our list of questions and answers to explain what is happening and why, what the impact may be and, what you can do.
Some regular questions are:
Should I put my bin out?
Please put your bin out as normal on the scheduled collection day however, If it is not emptied please leave it in place for three working days as efforts are being made to catch up on missed rubbish collections. If its remains uncollected after this, please take it back in and use the link to our questions and answers to find out what to do.
When will my bin be emptied?
If your bin is not emptied, emptied please leave it in place for three working days as efforts are being made to catch up on missed rubbish collections. If its remains uncollected after this, please take it back in and use the link to our questions and answers to find out what to do.
Will you collect side waste when they return to work?
Yes. When collections resume, we will for a short period of time collect side waste to help clear the backlog. For extra recycling, please place it in non-black bags beside the bin. Please ensure recycling has been rinsed clean so that it is free from any remains of food or drink.
Can I put recycling or garden waste into my rubbish bin?
No. Rubbish bins are only for non-recyclable household waste. If they contain recycling or garden waste, they will not be emptied.
Can I take waste to the local tip?
Yes, the four tips (Household Waste Recycling Sites) in Wealden run by East Sussex County Council are open as usual. Please check their website for locations, opening hours and site restrictions. https://new.eastsussex.gov.uk/ Please note, for recycling waste some items may need to be separated into individual containers at the tip.
