The emergence of the new covid-19 strain has caused councils and waste companies to begin thinking about contingency plans, particularly as household volumes are expected to rise over Christmas.
Steve Palfrey, chair of ADEPT’s Waste Group told letsrecycle.com that at this stage it may be “too early” to know what affect Omicron may have on waste services, however admitted that January could be “very difficult” with the added pressure of post-Christmas collections.
He explained: ”Authorities are supporting the accelerated rollout of booster vaccinations whether through providing traffic management systems, premises or transport, as well as encouraging and enabling staff to get boosters. In addition, ADEPT is monitoring driver and staff absences through the LARAC survey.
“All authorities have business continuity plans in place, so if they do see significant levels of staff absence through infection or self-isolation some services may need to be suspended in order to prioritise recycling and refuse collections as has happened at earlier stages of the pandemic. Potentially, January could be very difficult with the extra pressure of post-Christmas collections, which are traditionally a very busy time.”
ESA
Concerns were echoed by the Environmental Services Association (ESA), however executive director Jacob Hayler remains confident that its members are well versed to deal with the pressures.
Mr Hayler, reasoned: “We have previously warned that waste services are likely to be under significant pressure over the winter and Holiday season, due to a number of factors including COVID-19. However, our sector has proved its resilience over the last two years and has responded to the challenges thrown at it – keeping the wheels turning on essential services.
“Clearly concern is mounting over a potential new wave of infections and more severe illness associated with the spread of the omicron variant, which we are monitoring closely. ESA members now have mature systems in place to keep recycling and waste management workers safe and limit workplace transmission of the virus, but we remain prepared to take additional actions if necessary in response to the new variant.”
Councils
Some councils have also expressed concern that the variant will be an unwelcome pressure considering the other challenges faced this year such as the heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver shortage.
On a potential hit to Christmas collections, Andrew Bird, head of recycling and fleet services at Newcastle-under-Lyme borough council, said: “For me, Covid remains the biggest risk to collections over the Christmas and new year period, particularly with this new variant. Clearly, we have learnt a lot over the last couple of years, so keeping staff safe and controlling risk is well thought through and actioned, but it still concerns me.”
“Driver shortages are another factor potentially affecting collections, but also off takers in recycling markets and MRF’s especially given the usual and anticipated increase in volumes of material the Christmas and new year period generates.”
Elsewhere, Hounslow borough council is also experiencing disruption to services this festive period because of the ongoing HGV shortage.
A Hounslow borough council spokesperson said: “We are currently experiencing challenges with maintaining all our services and we are concerned with collection staff and driver staff shortages over Christmas.
“With the recent message about working form home and the seasonal increase in waste and recycling anyway – we are expecting this to have an impact on our services and our crews completing their rounds each day, we are hoping that our residents remain patient with the services, crews etc. and understand that there may be a slight delay to scheduled collections.”
Other councils have also hinted that other services may be suspended if staff are forced to self-isolate as the new, more transmissible, variant spreads.
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