How services might change in adverse weather conditions
During periods of adverse weather, waste collections could be delayed if it is unsafe for our workforce. As well as planning for cold weather we also must plan for warm weather.
If the weather deteriorates, please continue to put your bin out on the night before or by 7am on the day of your scheduled collection day. If we are unable to collect your bin, please leave it out and we will empty it as soon as possible.
We will aim to collect any missed collections the next working day. If conditions do not improve within this timescale, please look for updates on our website and social media channels or sign up for our enewsletter.
Cold weather including snow and ice
If collections are delayed due to cold weather, you can help us resume normal collections quicker by following these tips:
- Keep bin lids fully closed, this will stop snow and rain from getting in the bin and keep the contents from freezing. Our crews will shake the bins several times to release the contents, but some waste may remain stuck in extreme conditions.
- Check regularly that your bin lid is not frozen and can be opened easily. If your bin cannot be opened, it cannot be emptied.
- Where possible, please keep areas around your bins free from snow and ice.
If bins are not emptied due to compacted or frozen contents, or if collections have not been made because containers were full of snow and ice, please release the frozen contents and remove the snow and ice before adding more waste. We will not return to collect items frozen to the bottom of your bin.
The material that goes into garden waste bins and food caddies, tends to be damp and wet meaning that during periods of very cold weather it can become frozen. When this happens, it can be difficult for the crews to empty the bins / caddies as the contents stick to the sides of the container.
There are some things that you can do to prevent your garden waste bin / food caddy contents from freezing:
- do not compress the waste in your bin
- keep your bin lid shut to prevent water or snow getting inside
- move the contents around regularly using a spade or stick
- place your bin in the sun during the day
- store your bin in a sheltered area if you can, for example in a shed or garage or beside one of your house walls
- do not pour boiling water on your bin as this can worsen the freezing.
Collection staff will attempt to empty bins where contents are frozen.
Refuse/recycling lorries weigh up to 26 tonnes and the drivers must ensure complete safety of pedestrians, property and other vehicles when deciding if to collect from a street during snow and icy conditions.
Strong winds and rain
If your bin is due to be collected during a storm, please ensure that any additional recycling you’re leaving out is secure and won’t blow away. If you have excess recycling, please make sure it’s in a sturdy container that won’t fall apart in the rain.
Once your bin has been emptied, it is more likely to blow over and could fall into the road. Please retrieve it as soon as possible so it is less likely to cause a problem for other residents. If your bin’s not there, please check further down the road as it could have been blown away.
Our crews will do their best to clear up any waste that blows out while bins are emptied but will not clear litter from bins that have blown over before they arrive.
Hot weather and extreme heat
Bright, hot summer days are what many of us look forward to for the rest of the year.
However, while we're enjoying the balmy days of summer, we shouldn't forget that sometimes the temperature can get too high and, for our crews, it can become dangerously hot.
In hot weather, crews may start bin collections earlier in the day, to reduce the chance of heat exhaustion.
Please ensure that your bin is out the night before your scheduled collection day, as we will not return if your bin is missed because it is not out when we come to collect it, even if this is before your usual collection time.
Please keep your bins washed out and clean, especially during periods of hot weather.
Flooding
During flooding situations, advice will be available at: Flooding - Derbyshire Dales District Council
During these periods, our crews will be out working in difficult conditions, so please be patient with them.
General advice regarding waste and recycling in the event of a service disruption:
Make use of home composting bins for any vegetable and fruit peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds, cardboard and paper, if one is available to you.
Please squash cans and plastics where possible to get the maximum capacity out of your blue recycling bin / blue bag or box.
Please ensure that the correct bin is used for the correct type of waste or recycling to ensure that the maximum capacity is made out of all of your bins.
If it is possible for you, make use of the Household Waste Recycling Centres to dispose of excess waste. In times of bad weather please check to see if these sites are open before you set off.
