And, household waste and recycling centres (HWRCs) across the country were forced to close yesterday (9 February) as the nation was hit by the storm.
However, one local authority told letsrecycle.com that many councils were “blessed” that the storm took place on a Sunday, which meant there was a limited impact on collections.
The high winds saw wheelie bins, household waste and recycling strewn across streets throughout Britain and instructions regarding Monday collections were issued by several councils.
On Twitter, Somerset Waste said: “Squash all but glass and aerosols, then stack boxes with lightest below and locked food bin on top; if space, store to next time; if time-transport, drop all except food at any recycling site.”
And, councils as varied as Cheshire East, Suffolk and Lincolnshire apologised for having to close centres at short notice due to the weather.
Elsewhere, Flintshire council said that waste crews are out today and will collect “only where safe to do so”.
Kent
Kent saw all its HWRCs closed on Sunday due to concerns for the safety of staff and residents.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and the associated risks”
Ahead of the storm, Kent county council issued a statement saying: “Safety is paramount; therefore, sites will be taking decisions locally if it is safe to remain open.”
However, the decision was made that it was not safe for any of the sites to open. They have all since reopened today.
West Sussex
In West Sussex, HWRCs at Shoreham, Worthing and Bognor did not open due to fears about the weather.
A further site in East Grinstead could not open as a fallen tree blocked its entrance. Later in the day sites at Westhampnett and Billinhgshurst closed due to the high winds.
West Sussex county council said: “We will continue to monitor the situation and the associated risks of people carrying large items and waste being picked up and blown around the sites.”
Wiltshire
Meanwhile, Police in the town of Malmesbury in Wiltshire issued a warning to residents that the storm had seen several large bins blown into roads.
In a statement released on Facebook the police said: “With Storm Ciara blowing a gale out there, please remember to keep an eye on your wheelie bins and other loose/light items that you may have outside your home.
“Officers are responding to a number of reports of bins, recycling boxes and garden furniture ending up in the roadway!”
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