Latest changes to South Tyneside bin collections and how it affects you

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In line with Government guidance on coronavirus, the council is suspending a number of services to refocus its resources on delivering the most critical frontline duties.

A decision has been taken to suspend garden waste collection, which was due to start the week beginning March 30.

Coun Joan Atkinson, lead member for area management and community safety, said: “Our refuse collection service continues to be a priority. However, the impact of reduced resources means that we have had to review our approach to the non-statutory green waste collection programme.

South Tyneside Council has said green waste bin collections are suspended.

“We appreciate that this comes at a time when residents are spending more of their time at home and in their gardens to remain fit and active. But it has been necessary for us to suspend the garden collection service with immediate effect to help us maintain the essential frontline services that our residents need and rely on.

“We acknowledge that people have paid for collections and may now only receive part of the service this season.

“Please rest assured that we will be looking at this issue once services return to normal. We continue to monitor the situation closely with a view to starting the service as soon as we are able to do so.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding during these extremely challenging and unprecedented times.”

As a result of the suspension of green waste collections, the council will not taking any new registrations for the service until further notice.

As households will also be generating more household and recyclable waste while occupants are forced to stay at home, residents are reminded of the importance of keeping materials separate.

Residents are urged to leave their green bin full and to store any additional garden waste in their garden, or home compost their materials, until the service resumes.

Those who are registered with the green waste collection service and have provided their email address, will be notified by email when the service is recommenced.

Grey household waste collections continue. However, the Recycling Village at Middlefields Industrial Estate in South Shields remains closed.