Heartwarming messages of support for binmen during Covid-19 crisis

The messages, which have also been posted in windows, thank the hardworking binmen across East Lindsey for their efforts to keep things running as smoothly as possible, despite more people being at home all day and the amount of waste piling up because of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Children have coloured pictures of wagons and rainbows and attached them to bins with messages saying:

“Thank you to all the bin men. Keep safe.”

They have even been writing poems. One ode to bin men reads:

A bin man's life is not for some

up in the morning with the morning sun.

Picking up trash and God knows what

Papers and junk with food with rot

Do most of us care or give a jot

me myself think not

Yet where would we beif not for thee,

afloat with trash for all to see

If we cared and gave a damn

we would appreciate more, for our own bin man.

So I say to you that do this job

Thank you from happy slob.

To ensure these key workers were not forgotten, ELDC launched a #WavetotheWagons campaign to run alongside the weekly Clap for Carers on Thursdays.

"We all stood and clapped the amazing work of our colleagues in the NHS last night," a post on social media said. "They are doing a tremendous job!

"Let's also celebrate our fab waste collection teams."

Maintaining the service since lockdown began has not been easy - with recycling centres only just reopening for limited items and more people at home, rubbish has been mounting.

In view of this, East Lindsey appealed to residents for their patience as staffing numbers became affected by Coronavirus measures, promising to do everything they could to maintain the number of vehicles going out each day,.

The response was not what they expected.

As messages started appearing on bins and in windows, ELDC commented: "It's fantastic to see how much our refuse collectors are thought of out there everyday.

"These little notes and drawings really keep their spirits up."

A bin man from one crew, James Salt, says they have a stash of messages in their wagon. "Little kiddies have been coming out to wave to us.

"It's been nice getting respect because we don't always get that.."

Another member of the crew, Tim Lewington, said: "We've had messages on the bins and people have even left biscuits for us.

"We go home thinking 'how lovely'."

Residents have also expressed their appreciation on social media. Rebecca Wordsworth said: "Thank you to our bin men and landfill staff. Working blind.

"I hope they are given PPE as all waste should be considered as hazardous waste"

Safety measures were introduced from the start to protect the crews. Whilst it is impossible for the crews to socially distance in the wagons, they are working by the Waste Industry Health and Safety Forum guidelines and are wearing gloves and using hand sanitiser. "They are working in set crew teams to limit any exposure," an ELDC spokesman explained.

As you might expect, the amount of refuse (black bin) has risen quite noticeably since lockdown began. In the week commencing April 20, the amount of refuse increased by over 100 tonnes when compared to the same week last year.

What happens to it once collected remains the same. Green waste is composted in North Elkington and Strubby. Waste from the black bin is tipped and bulked in Louth before onward transportation to Lincoln, where it is processed in the Energy from Waste Plant.

Recycling waste from the grey bin is bulked in Louth prior to onward transportation to Ancaster and Barkston Heath near Grantham for sorting into the various fractions.

Glass from the bring sites is taken to Barnsley for reprocessing.

In spite of the coast being closed, litter bins and dog bins on the coast/foreshores are being emptied as normal. "Social distancing measures mean there is less litter in the bins than usual, as the coast is not open for normal seasonal business activity.," said a spokesman.

"However, we are still receiving a steady amount of litter and particularly dog waste, due to local residents using the coast for fitness and well-being activity."

Portfolio Holder for Operational Services, Coun Martin Foster, said teams had been blown away by the support. He said: “Our Refuse Collectors are frontline key workers and it seems that our residents have taken them to their hearts alongside our Wave to the Wagons campaign.

"Not only is this keeping up their spirits but the effort by some residents has blown the teams away, from little gifts such as carved wooden keyrings with positive messaging to Easter eggs and lovely drawings. Every single acknowledgement has lifted their spirits and kept them going to provide this essential service.

Without their dedication, the service wouldn’t have been able to continue, and although they work in close proximity inside the cabs, they are working in line with the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum guidelines and are using hand cleansing products and gloves and self-isolating when necessary.”

Waste and Markets Service Manager, Nick Davis, said: “The waste collection crews have worked exceptionally well during a difficult transition period to new collection calendars. It has been heart-warming to see the appreciation shown to them by members of the public”.

The workload is expected to ease now Lincolnshire County Council has reopened its recycling centres.

In East Lindsey there are centres at Kirkby on Bain , Louth and Skegness which were closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Initially, only garden waste and wood is being accepted but LCC is looking to introduce other types of waste as soon as they can.

Coun Eddy Poll, executive member for waste and recycling at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "We've had a really positive reaction to the new click and tip booking system.

"In fact, many residents have been in touch asking for us to make it a permanent arrangement. It should allow residents a much smoother service, with minimal waiting times and quicker drop off, whilst allowing us to operate within the social distancing guidelines, keeping both residents and staff safe."

For more information or to book a slot, please visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/clickandtip or call 01522 782070.

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE BIN MEN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Residents are asked to reduce waste and recycle as much as possible.

Other guidance includes:

Help manage your waste Reduce your waste as much as you can. Please only buy what you need – especially when it comes to food.

Where you can, try and buy products with little or no packaging.

The majority of waste comes from packaging. Packaging like plastic bags and films can be returned to supermarkets for recycling.

You should only use your black bin for things that can’t be recycled such as food, nappies, pet waste, sanitary products and wet wipes (please do not flush wet wipes).

Recycle as much as possible:

Recycling can be stored at home without any risk if you rinse any food or product residue from it.. Items include plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, metal tins, cans and aerosol cans, paper and cardboard

To make the most of the room in your bin, after rinsing, make sure you squash down plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays and metal tins and cans. Cardboard (which takes up the most room) should be flattened down and left next to your bin. P

Put the right things, in the right bin: Make sure it isn’t contaminated with anything like plastic bags or other household waste. Contaminated blue bins cost lots of time and money.

Putting your bins out: Please make sure that your bins are clearly presented where we can see them. It may not be your normal collectors who empty your bins.Collectors touch more than 1000 bins a day so please wipe down the handles of your bin when you bring it back in.

Tissues: If you have somebody in your household who has Covid19 or thinks they may have, they must double bag tissues and other disposable items, leave them to one side for 72 hours, and then place in your black bin.

Fly tipping and littering: Dumping rubbish and littering is still an offence. Public Protection Officers are still patrolling and will take the appropriate action against anyone caught fly tipping or littering

For details of East Lindsey's collection days visit https://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/refuseandrecycling

Information on how you can help the binmen during the Covid-19 pandemic can be found here - https://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/media/16184/Waste-Collections/pdf/Waste_Collections_-_May_2020.pdf?m=637248955978200000

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