Bin collection changes in Luton over coronavirus are 'a recipe for massive increase in fly-tipping'

A package of measures is being prepared and in some cases introduced already as the borough council attempts to minimise the effects of the coronavirus crisis.

It comes as 134 members of the council’s staff were self-isolating at the end of last week, with that figure growing.

The local authority said: “We’re working hard to keep all bin collections going, but we’re experiencing significant disruption to services because of the impact on our staffing levels.

“We also need to ensure the safety of you and our staff. As a result we will be prioritising the collection of black waste bins and green recycling bins.

“This means we will be stopping all brown garden waste bins, glass collections and food waste caddies...

“To prevent transmission of the virus, personal waste, such as used tissues and cleaning cloths, should be stored separately to other waste.

“This should be put in a rubbish bag or placed in a black sack, which should be tied and kept separate from other waste, if you are self-isolating."

The move could result in residents putting their garden waste, food and glass bottles and jars in the black bins, according to Liberal Democrat Barnfield councillor David Franks.

He fears the council will refuse to empty black bins if they have green waste in them.

In an email to Labour council leader Hazel Simmons, he has asked whether there has been any provision made for “the significant extra landfill tax” the local authority will have to pay.

He questioned whether there is any allowance for “the increase in fly-tipping which will also result”.

Councillor Franks wants to know that these services will return to normal after the current disruption to public life.

“As with all knee-jerk reactions, there are no details, no start date, no advice on alternatives,” he said.

“I am asking how they intend to let people know. It seems like a recipe for a massive increase in fly-tipping, as if we did not have enough already.”

A detailed list of contingency actions the council needs to take or consider were explained in a list of priorities from chief executive Robin Porter.

On waste collection, “the focus is on delivery of residual waste and to protect health and safety”.

As a result, the proposed activity will see garden waste collections halted, along with glass recycling, while the food waste trial will be stopped.

The local authority’s grass cutting agenda will also be reduced if staff are unavailable.

The initial food waste trials started in Barnfield, Bushmead and Saints ward just over a year ago.

The weekly collections were the latest phase of the council’s plans to make savings on its household waste costs.

Around 3,000 garden waste bins were delivered when the system was shaken up.

Money saved during the initial stages of the switch to fortnightly bin collections led to the food waste round starting earlier than planned.

The local authority was aiming to reduce the amount of waste, while increasing recycling in Luton.

The council has been asked to comment on the concerns raised by councillor Franks.