I have understandibly received a lot of complaints from residents across Croydon, regarding the current state of recycling collections, which has been impacted by HGV driver shortages, and congestion around fuel stations.
The Council released the following statement:
Rubbish and recycling collections in Croydon are being severely impacted by the HGV driver shortage and traffic congestion around fuel stations.
Croydon Council’s waste contractor Veolia is operating with a reduced number of drivers and the increase in traffic across the borough means their journeys are taking much longer than usual, and some collections are being delayed as a result.
If their road is not collected on schedule, residents are asked to not report this as a missed collection, but to leave their waste and recycling out and crews will get to them as soon as possible. More information, including which roads have been affected, will be published on the council’s website daily. Residents should continue to report individual missed collections – where crews collect from other properties on their street but miss theirs – in the same way as usual, here.
Veolia and the council have already made significant operational changes to alleviate the pressure on crews and reduce delays, and will continue to work closely together to minimise disruption for our residents.
Sarah Hayward, Interim Executive Director for Place, Croydon Council, said: “We apologise wholeheartedly to our residents for the inconvenience this is causing them - we understand how frustrating it is when waste and recycling collections are delayed. Please bear with us and be assured that our crews are working hard to get to you as soon as they can. We are working closely with our contractor Veolia to find solutions and will keep you updated.”
ENDS
Please be assured, I am meeting with senior officers to discuss what more can be done to lessen this issue across the borough, and I will keep you updated as the situation develops.
If you are having recycling collection issues where you live, please let me know directly at: [email protected].
Cllr Scott Roche
Shadow Cabinet Member for Sustainable Croydon.
