County waste site closures

We took the difficult decision to close our recycling and household waste sites, in order to protect both staff and residents. Managing social distancing and excessive queuing on public highways was becoming increasingly difficult due to the large number of visitors. Government have advised that during this time, services may be stretched and ask that residents refrain from having clear outs or transporting rubbish to waste sites.

Find our latest waste information here and for composting tips, see below.

Extending bus pass arrangements

More important news for the parishes is that the council is extending the times that people eligible for concessionary travel can use their bus passes during the coronavirus outbreak.

The council is responding to supermarkets across the county opening earlier for older people and disabled people, to give the most vulnerable access to food and essential provisions. The authority has relaxed the time restrictions put in place for people with bus passes, so they can travel for free before 9.30am. Passes will continue to be able to be used as normal after 9.30am.

Previously, older and disabled people could travel on any local bus for free after 9.30am, Mondays to Fridays and all day at weekends.

Advice on garden waste

If green waste collections have been suspended in your parish or community, the best solution could be home composting.

Discounted compost bins are available from Get Composting with prices starting at £12 (plus delivery). Grass clippings can also be used as a mulch around plants to keep weeds down or composted separately in a heap with alternating thin layers of grass and cardboard. For more information, click here. You can also find advice for beginners and experienced composters at Less Waste, Garden Organic or Carry on Composting.

We're also encouraging people not to burn garden waste as the smoke it produces could affect people who are self-isolating.