Banburyshire bin-men praised for their work collecting extra rubbish during lockdown

And residents are being asked to consider whether their rubbish could be re-used.

West Oxfordshire waste crews during lockdown have been praised as new figures showed major rises in the amount of waste being collected during the Covid-19 period.

Overall 625 tonnes of household rubbish - excluding garden waste - has been collected in the district during the lockdown period - 86 tonnes more than in the same period last year.

The figures also show 306 tonnes of garden waste was collected – a rise of 33 per cent on the previous year illustrating how green-fingered West Oxfordshire residents have been making the most of lockdown by getting out into their gardens.

Similarly, people have been cooking more with 94 tonnes of food waste generated – a rise of 29 per cent.

A total of 235 tonnes of recycling was also collected – up 10 per cent – while the amount of general household waste stood at 296 tonnes, a rise of 12 per cent.

Cllr MacRae, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “These figures show how much extra pressure crews from our contractor Ubico have been under at a time of extraordinary stress in the workplace. I am sure residents will want to join me in thanking them for their continuing efforts.

“We have maintained a full kerbside collection service throughout this period and recently we re-introduced the bulky waste collection service, all of which is a remarkable achievement.”

In Cherwell district the council's bin men have been collecting an average of 232 tonnes of dry recycling a week during the lockdown period, a 14 per cent increase on the pre-coronavirus average. Refuse is averaging 605 tonnes a week, up 12 per cent.

“With pubs and restaurants closed, glass use has seen a massive 41 per cent rise, with Cherwell collecting an average of 90 tonnes a week," said a spokesman.

"The council runs a combined garden and food waste recycling service and during April 2620 tonnes was collected across the district, 711 tonnes more than in April 2019. On May 7 Cherwell registered a record for the most food and garden waste ever collected in a day, 190 tonnes.”

Meanwhile residents in South Northamptonshire are being challenged to reduce, reuse and recycle to help shrink their carbon footprint and save money.

Cllr Dermot Bambridge, South Northamptonshire Council’s portfolio holder for environmental services, said: "Every time we throw something away, all of the resources that went into making it are thrown away too.

"These include all the materials that went into making it, plus all the energy and emissions from its manufacture and the transportation involved in its distribution. If any item or product we throw away still has a use, then we are throwing away our hard-earned money too.

"So, this month we are asking everybody to see how much they can slim their bin by taking simple steps; such as reducing their food waste, finding ways to reuse things and challenging people to have a go at mending clothes and broken toys or other household items."

South Northamptonshire Council’s Climate Change Challenge started in March and helps people to understand their impact on the environment by using the WWF carbon calculator.

For more tips and ideas on how to slim your bin visit - https://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/ClimateChangeChallenge.