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Belfast moves to black bin only collection during lockdown

Blue and brown bin collections in the Belfast City Council area have been suspended immediately
Blue and brown bin collections in the Belfast City Council area have been suspended immediately
By Claire Simpson

Blue and brown bin collections in Belfast have been suspended with immediate effect.

Belfast City Council is only collecting black bins from today.

The kerbside box trial serving around 5,000 households in north Belfast has also temporarily been suspended.

A council spokesman said it will keep the collection of recyclable waste under review.

Residents who are on a Bryson Recycling collection will have their boxes collected as usual, although Bryson may also experience some operational difficulties in coming days and weeks.

[ READ MORE: Coronavirus deaths in north rise to seven ]

The spokesman said the change was to help its workers comply with social distancing guidelines and help reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Lord Mayor Councillor Daniel Baker said: “The health and safety of our staff is paramount and it is imperative that we do all we can to protect our workers, and the general public.

“If we are to be compliant with the social distancing guidance, it is impossible for that not to have an impact on our day to day operations. Introducing these temporary measures will allow our resources to be focussed on the collection of black bin waste only, and will take some pressure off our service which is already feeling the strain of this unprecedented public health emergency."

Belfast City Council has altered its bin collections during the coronavirus outbreak. Picture by Mal McCann
Belfast City Council has altered its bin collections during the coronavirus outbreak. Picture by Mal McCann

He said each bin lorry will be limited to one worker per cab, with additional workers travelling in convoy in separate vehicles.

"Understandably, these measures will have an impact on the efficiency of our operation but this is necessary and it is the right thing to do to protect our staff," he said.

He said the council is facing "difficult operational decisions on a daily basis".

"We are relying on the goodwill and support of the public while we endeavour to deliver services across the city in the most challenging of circumstances, and I would ask them to do whatever they can to reduce household waste during this uncharted time," he said.

Belfast City Council serves the largest population of all the 11 councils in Northern Ireland.

For the most up to date information on council services and closures visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/covid19