How you can help keep bin crews safe during the lockdown

The Coronavirus can live on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on metal and plastics for up to 72 hours.

Hartlepool Borough Council said people who have or suspect they have COVID-19 must please take the following precautions when disposing of personal waste such as used tissues and disposable cleaning cloths:

:: Put it in a plastic rubbish bag and tie it closed

:: Put the bag in a second plastic rubbish bag and tie that closed

:: Store the bag securely for at least 72 hours (three days) before putting it in their bin with the normal household waste

Other household waste can be disposed of as normal.

Residents are also asked to please clean their bin handle with disinfectant, bleach or soapy water before and after their bin has been out for emptying.

In the course of the next few days a leaflet with this guidance will be left with residents’ bins after emptying.

Helen Beaman, the Council’s Waste and Environmental Services Team Leader, said: “It’s important for everyone to please take these simple precautions – they are vital to help protect our bin crews.”

Council chiefs revealed earlier in April 2020 how changes had been made to keep bin collections going, with a number of measures to keep staff safe – with even schools offering up their minibuses to help bin crews.

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