Following the recent announcement that England is going into another national lockdown, here is an update on what’s happening with Torbay’s Waste and Recycling Services.

These services in the Bay are now delivered by SWISCo, a new company wholly owned and delivering services on our behalf.

Household waste and recycling collections

These will continue as normal. Some residents may not have yet had their Christmas and New Year waste and recycling collections – please note due to the large volume of materials following the festive period, crews are still catching up, so please, continue to leave your waste and recycling outside your home for collection and they will be collected as soon as possible.

Christmas tree shredding

This service is still being offered on Sunday 10 January from 9am to 12pm. Between these times, you can drop into either Brixham College in Ranscombe Road or the car park at Torquay Town Hall and hand them over to Waste and Recycling Officers to shred. You can also book a slot between these times at the Recycling Centre in Tor Park Road, Paignton.

Recycling Centre opening

Please note that unlike in the previous full lockdown, the Recycling Centre in Tor Park Road, Paignton will remain open to residents for essential visits, but you must continue to book your slot in advance. Please note there is now a charge for certain items at the Recycling Centre. For a full list of charges and to book your slot visit the recycling centre page. The weighbridge also remains open.

Assisted collections

These will also continue to be available during the lockdown. You can apply for an assisted collection if you have mobility difficulties or impairment that means you cannot safely carry containers to the kerbside and no one in your household is physically able to help you. Find out more on the assisted collections page.

Disposing of tissues if you have the virus

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19 please can any residents who either have the virus or are suspected to have it put used tissues or disposable cleaning cloths in a separate rubbish bag. This then needs to be put aside for 72 hours before being put in your usual household waste bin – and please remember to also wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds after you have disposed of the item. Even if you don’t have symptoms, please double bag used tissues.

Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture for Torbay Council, said: “We thank local residents for their continued patience as our crews from SWISCo continue to catch up on collections following the Christmas and New Year period. We are experiencing high volumes of materials being presented for collection, particularly recycling but our crews are working hard to catch up as soon as possible.

“All our other waste and recycling services are continuing as normal despite the new national lockdown, and don’t forget, if you do have a large amount of excess cardboard packaging you can also take this to the Recycling Centre, though you will need to book a slot first.”

For more information visit the bins and recycling pages.