Epping Forest Council misses bin collections in 139 roads

Missed bin collections in Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Epping, High Laver, Lambourne, Loughton, Nazeing, North Weald Bassett, Roydon, Stanford Rivers and Waltham Abbey have been reported to Epping Forest Council.

One resident told us: “The area is looking unclean and unkempt.

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“How much is Biffa being paid? Why do they miss collection and there is no accountability and no refunds for residents.

“I am sure the local refuse collectors are not paid excessively but it would be interesting to know what kind of profits are being made.

“As a resident all you can do is log it on the website and can't find anyone to talk to.”

Due to contractor staff shortages and vehicle breakdowns, food and garden waste will not be collected on certain routes on 5 August.

Check if your road will be affected https://t.co/YNHxn1mgC2.

We apologise for the inconvenience. pic.twitter.com/SKzTb7qH4y

— Epping Forest DC (@eppingforestdc) August 5, 2022

A spokesperson for the council said: “Epping Forest District Council and Biffa apologise for the current missed collections.

“At present the waste contractor is experiencing staff shortages and recruitment issues, which are affecting many industries nationally, particularly the waste industry.  

“This is being compounded by a high volume of vehicle breakdowns and difficulty with hiring replacement vehicles, as well as the time to get replacement parts for the broken-down vehicles. 

“The missed collections are not unique to Epping Forest District, there are issues across the country in various local authorities."

The council is asking people to leave their bins out if a collection is missed and report the collection online if their road is not already logged and said it will collect them as soon as possible.

They added: “Residents are being kept informed through social media and the council’s website that has a list of streets with a missed collection. This is updated daily.

“Further recruitment drives, training, and inductions for all Biffa operatives are due to take place this month.

“We continue to work closely with Biffa to do everything that we can to resolve the current issues.”

Report missed collections at https://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish/disruption-to-bin-collections/