Veolia has released guidance for local authorities detailing how Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) can reopen safely, adding that the facilities should be considered an essential service.
Veolia’s guide details how local authorities can safely reopen HWRCs
The waste and recycling company comments that it is the largest operator of HWRCs in the UK and has safely kept open its Sheffield facilities during lockdown, and also some overseas.
This means the company is “well-placed to address the main safety and operating issues” when it comes to reopening the facilities.
The guide, which can be read here, states that Veolia believes the two overriding priorities for reopening sites are ‘safety first’ and ‘clear communication’.
And, it says HWRCs are essential to prevent injury, illness or harm to residents who have a problem with storing too much waste or have oils or other hazardous waste at home, and for whom these are important facilities.
Essential
Speaking with letsrecycle.com, Richard Kirkman,Veolia’s chief innovation and technology officer for the UK, said: “We believe we have come up with a safe way of keeping these facilities open, and that has coincided with there being a growth in fly-tipping and people now having more of a problem with the lockdown extended.
Richard Kirkman, Veolia’s chief innovation and technology officer
“We think that on balance, it makes sense to try and get them open to provide this service where it is critical. There is a demand for it and I think there is a risk people will take matters into their own hands if this service isn’t provided.
“The most important thing is that HWRCs can be reopened safely and we’re sure they can be.”
Mr Kirkman explained that Veolia considers using an HWRC can be essential. He explained: “The next question then would be to assess whether or not a trip to an HWRC is essential, and we think it is. We’re hearing there is fly-tipping, and with the questioning we’re doing we hear that people are putting larger items in their household bins which is causing problems for the safety of our crews.”
Communication
The first measure in the report surrounds clear communication, with the company emphasising that “essentially safety starts with clear communication via local authority website, press and social media, so the public know the new operating guidelines before they arrive on site”.
The below graphic shows the messaging which is key to reopening facilities safely, the report says.
Defra
Earlier this month, Defra ranked HWRCs as a ‘medium priority’ when issuing guidance to help local authorities and other waste collectors prioritise and maintain their waste collection services (see letsrecycle.com story).
This sparked a debate as to whether the facilities can be considered an ‘essential’ reason to leave the house under the lockdown restrictions.
Veolia added that “ a number of local authorities are now actively considering reopening their HWRC networks”.
Measures
In terms of safety measures, Veolia says specified minimum staff site numbers are essential to reopening, and maximum vehicle restrictions on site at any one time must be introduced.
There has been much debate recently on whether HWRCs should reopen
Additional resources should also be placed at the entrance to help manage any traffic waiting to get on to the site, where possible these should be uniformed.
“It may be possible to secure this support from the Local Authority with consideration given to Traffic or Civil Enforcement Officers,” the report added.
Restarting
Veolia says that at the outset, site layout should be reviewed, and councils should look at which containers/bays are opened and for what waste – Wood / Metal / WEEE / White Goods separate – all others could be potentially be mixed/general waste.
No reuse shops would be allowed to open and alternate bins would be open to encourage social distancing.
Before the operation restarts, staff will need to be inducted in key control measures using risk assessment and manager guidance safety packs with face to face contact to be minimised.
Operatives will also be required to wear full PPE and additional bodycams where available (including supervisor/gate checks).
Bulky item drop off points should be organised where possible, then use mobile plant to move items.
Social distancing
Measures such as a one-in-one-out, or more if size permits, were also encouraged by Veolia.
“The most important thing is whether HWRCs can be reopened safely and we’re sure they can be”
No help can be given by recycling assistants and only one person will be allowed on a gantry at a time. Ideally only one operator should be allocated to use yellow plant on site each day and mobile plant cab windows should be closed at all times.
Cleaning
Handrails and contact points need to be cleaned ideally every 30 mins and during a site closure during the day if mid-day closures are agreed. Cleaning stations must be set up on larger sites and personal hand gel kept on the recycling assistant throughout the day.
Useful links
The full guidance document can be read here.
The post HWRCs ‘are essential’, Veolia says appeared first on letsrecycle.com.
Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
