Falkirk Council's latest advice on refuse collections

Waste and recycling collection services have been subject to change for the last two weeks as the local authority copes with the impact of coronavirus.

In an online statement, a spokesperson said: “Where services require to change due to resource availability, we will prioritise services. It is important to consider a number of things at this time:

“We may not have available resource to return for any missed bins – it is important to place your bins/boxes out for collection by 6:30am on your collection day.

“As more people will be working from home, please consider where you park your car on your scheduled collection days. Good practice would be to park more than 10 metre from a junction, park close to the kerb, with wing mirrors folded in.

“As services are suspended, we will not accept any reports of missed bins.

“As services are suspended we will update online collection calendars.”

All recycling centres are currently closed.

While green bins collections are operating normally every four weeks, the blue, burgundy and brown bin collections are currently suspended.

Food waste and absorbent hygiene products collections are going ahead, but glass collections are currently suspended.

The spokesperson added: “Whilst we understand this may result in your household having surplus recyclate e.g. paper and cardboard, plastics, cans and cartons, these materials can be safely stockpiled at home, and we would recommend you take the following actions: wash, rinse and squash all containers; cut up and flatten cardboard; and store clean excess materials in boxes or bags.

They said garden clippings and cuttings will naturally start to decompose within brown bins, as will any excess stored in a pile in your garden or in a composter unit.

People can also drop glass off at recycling points as part of their daily exercise allowed during the lockdown.