Small Trucks Recycle the Parts Dustcarts Cannot Reach

Published on 15 January 2010

Refuse collectors are using small vehicles to pick up refuse and recycling on residential roads still too slippery for large dustcarts. Both the Sun and the Daily Express contacted the Council to ask about apparent mountains of rubbish at Epping Green. Epping Forest District Council’s contractor Sita is using the small trucks to pick up the backlog of recycling waste sacks which are then placed at collection points larger vehicles can safely reach. The recycling is then transferred and removed.

The Sun did not run the story on learning that the ‘mountains’ were part of the collection process. The Express could not resist a picture but sadly did not explain that the sacks were placed there by the refuse collectors and quickly transferred to dustcarts.

Councillor Mary Sartin, Environment Portfolio Holder for Epping Forest District Council said: “Our refuse and recycling collectors have born the brunt of some of the worst weather we have seen in decades. Several are now off work due to broken bones and cuts sustained trying to collect refuse and recycling from people homes.

“Large vehicles have had a particularly difficult time getting up narrow and icy residential roads so we hit on the idea of diverting smaller trucks from street cleaning duties.”

Residents are being assured not to worry by the ‘mountains’ of recycling appearing around the district. “They are strictly temporary.” said Councillor Sartin, “Residents can be assured they are a good sign we are adapting to the conditions and catching up on the collections.”

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