Slough Borough Council is apologising to residents of the Kings Reach estate in Upton as their red bin collections had to be halted today following serious threats to the collection crew.
Whilst collecting recycling on Starling Crescent, a resident, angry his contaminated bin was not being collected, threatened the crew with physical violence and the creation of a mob to ensure the crew would never be allowed to come back to the estate without being harmed.
The crew left the estate immediately and the matter has been reported to the police.
The abuse and threats of violence comes less than a week after the council upped the number of items which could be recycled in the red bins; meaning more items than ever could be placed in the red bin leading to less contamination and a reduction in waste.
Councillor Dexter Smith, leader of the council, said: “The behaviour of this man is appalling and has not only shaken the bin crew enough they could not continue but also led to his neighbours not having a collection today.
“We apologise to those neighbours whose red bin was missed today but we have a zero tolerance approach to threats to our staff and, rightly, the crew removed themselves from the situation and harms way.
“We understand bin collections can be an emotive subject and having a contaminated bin rejected is frustrating but there is no excuse for threatening our crews who are doing their jobs in very difficult circumstances.
“Any threat to any member of staff in unacceptable, will not be tolerated and will be reported to the police.”
Previously only plastic bottles could be recycled in the household red bins but now nearly all types of loose plastic can be put in the recycling bin, for example:
- yoghurt pots
- butter tubs
- meat trays
- fruit punnets
- hair conditioner tubs
- plastic bottle lids
- takeaway containers
All plastics, like tins and cans, should be cleaned of any food or other items before being placed in the red bin.
The only plastics which can’t be recycled in the red bins are plastic bags (including bread bags, carrier bags and bin liners), cling film and any polystyrene containers or packaging.
The new plastic items join plastic bottles, tins and cans, glass, paper and cardboard which could already be recycled in the red bin.
Residents are reminded only those items which can be recycled should be placed in the red bin.
Red bins which contain non-recyclable or food contaminated items – such as pizza boxes, plastic bags, cling film, nappies, electrical items and old clothes – will lead to red bins being rejected.