Despite their hi-viz jackets, the hard work of Surrey’s bin collection crews sometimes goes unnoticed. To reward them, we think it’s time they were celebrated for their hard work!
They play an essential part in a system that contributes to Surrey having one of the highest recycling rates in the country, waking up at dawn to collect an average of over 7,700 tonnes of waste and recycling every week.
In fact, bin collection crews were categorised as key workers when coronavirus lockdown measures were introduced in March 2020. Since then they’ve continued to provide a near-complete service during a difficult time, even collecting around 800 tonnes more waste and recycling than normal every week.
Despite this, they are sometimes verbally abused or put in danger by members of the public. Most often this happens when residents want crew members to collect waste presented in a way that could cause a hazard, waste that has been put into the wrong bins or when vehicles pass too close to collection vehicles.
Fortunately, there are many ways to help your collection crew. Make sure you know which items go in which bins, how to present waste and whether your local council will take recycling that doesn’t fit in your recycling bin. You can also thank your crew by giving them a wave in the morning, putting a note in your window or sticking a message to your bin.
Find out the ways that you can help your bin collection crew to have a good day at surreyep.org.uk