Stickers to remind Lichfield households that tissues and kitchen roll should not be put into recycling bins will be stuck on bins across Lichfield District.
Through the Lichfield and Tamworth Joint Waste Service, Lichfield District Council will be putting stickers on all recycling bins across Lichfield, Burntwood and the surrounding areas.
The stickers warn local households that they should not put tissues or kitchen roll in blue bins, and that bins will not be emptied if any are found to be in them.
This comes after two truck-loads of recycling were turned away last week from the recycling sorting plant due to recycling being contaminated with used tissues and kitchen roll.
If a load of recycling is rejected, it ends up being sent to landfill.
Councillor Liz Little, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Recycling & Waste, said: “With the coronavirus outbreak, it is now more important than ever to put your used tissues and kitchen roll in your black bins.
“Not only will it make sure our recycling trucks do not get turned away from the recycling sorting plant, it will also help to protect our waste and recycling teams and the people who work at the plant who sort the waste.
“This is why it is vital that you do not put tissues and kitchen roll in your blue bin.
“If we find tissues or kitchen roll in your blue bin, we will not be able to empty it. You can of course still recycle the cardboard inner tubes.”
COVID-19 personal waste
The council is also keen to remind residents that if anyone in your household has COVID-19 symptoms, to dispose of personal waste, such as tissues and disposable cleaning cloths, in a tied up plastic bag.
This should then be placed in another plastic bag that is tied securely and kept separate from other waste. After setting aside for 72 hours, the bag can be put in your black bin.
If you live in a building with communal waste areas, please store any personal waste bin bags for at least 72 hours before putting them in the communal bins.
As an extra precaution, the council is also asking residents to clean their bin handles before and after emptying.
“By taking these extra safety precautions, you will help to make sure our bin crews are not exposed to dangerous germs,” added Cllr Little.