​Think of people’s health - don’t burn waste during the C-19 crisis

Residents are asked not to burn their waste during the coronavirus pandemic to protect the respiratory health of the vulnerable.

With the majority of people now working from home, some will be tempted to light bonfires to get rid of the increased waste being generated.

However, Bury Council is urging residents to consider the health of others during this unprecedented time.

It is reminding people that collections of brown bins, for garden and food waste, have now resumed following a brief suspension. Collections of grey, blue and green bins are also continuing.

In the last three weeks the environmental health department has received five times as many complaints of burning waste than in the same period last year.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Covid-19 is a respiratory illness, and people’s breathing – particularly those in the shielded group – could be irritated and worsen due to smoke inhalation.

“We’re all pulling together to get through this pandemic, with hundreds of volunteers helping to get food and medicines to those shielded at home.

“We’re asking people to also support their neighbours by not lighting bonfires while the outbreak continues. This will improve our air quality and reduce the chance of those experiencing respiratory symptoms being affected and placing a further burden on the NHS.

“We hope that the resumption of the brown bin collections will make it easier for people to dispose of their waste in the bins provided and not resort to burning it in their gardens or back yards.”

Any extra waste that can’t go in the household bins should be stored safely at home until the household waste recycling centres re-open.

ENDS

Press release issued: 15 April 2020.