What you need to know as Lancashire council announces return of popular recycling scheme as lockdown restrictions ease

The waste paper and cardboard collection service is to resume in Ribble Valley, but Ribble Valley Borough Council is asking households not to inundate refuse collectors with waste paper as they start to clear the backlog.

The council is suggesting residents leave two sacks or the equivalent, such as a sack and box, or two boxes, for collection to start with.

The council says that way its refuse teams will be able to collect waste paper and cardboard from every property and clear the backlog over a couple of collections.

Importantly, residents are asked not to put tissues they have used to blow their nose in with waste paper.

The amount of waste paper and cardboard recycled by Ribble Valley households has shot up in recent years to around 120 tonnes a month, but this is expected to be a lot more when the collection resumes.

Linda Boyer, the council’s waste management officer, said: “We would like to thank you for storing your waste paper during lockdown, but while our refuse teams clear the backlog we are suggesting you leave just two sacks or the equivalent, such as a sack and box, or two boxes, for collection each week.

“For health reasons, we are also asking you not to put tissues you have used to blow your nose in your waste paper, or it won’t be collected for recycling.

“Our white sack service has been valued by local residents for many years and we appreciate your patience and support during these difficult times.”

If you don’t have a white sack, put your waste paper in a closed cardboard box or bundle it with string.

But don’t leave boxes or bundles overnight in rain to ensure they don’t get too wet and fall apart when being picked up.

Waste paper and cardboard is collected from households in the north of the borough on the same day as green bins, while in the south of the borough it is collected on ‘blue bin day’.

Households can check whether their waste paper and cardboard will be collected on a ‘green’ or ‘blue’ week at ribblevalley.gov.uk.

White sacks are available from Ribble Valley Borough Council by phoning 01200 425111.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

* Only two white sacks or their equivalent will be collected from each household;

* Cardboard boxes can be crushed and put in white sacks, or used to hold extra waste paper and left alongside sacks, but don’t leave them overnight in the rain ;

* White sacks or boxes containing used tissues will not be collected;

* Toilet roll inners, cereal packets, food boxes and junk mail can all be recycled;

* Put your waste paper at your collection point by 7.30am, or the night before;

* Waste paper and cardboard can also be taken to household recycling centres in Clitheroe and Longridge by appointment at lancashire.gov.uk.