In light of restrictions to reduce the spread of coronavirus, these are the changes being implemented to waste and recycling collections and centres for Sidmouth residents.

East Devon District Council has issued the following information with regards to recycling and waste collections during the coronavirus outbreak:

Green waste:

• Collections are suspended until further notice

• We are not able to take any new green waste subscriptions

• If you are an existing green waste customer please renew your subscription when it expires (we will add the current suspension period to your subscription period when we are able to resume the service so you will get a full 12 months of collections)

Bulky household items:

• Collections are suspended until further notice

• We are not able to take any further new collection bookings

• If you have a collection already booked we will make the collection as arranged

Waste (black wheeled bin or gull sack):

• All scheduled collections as normal

Recycling (green recycling sack and green recycling box):

• All scheduled collections as normal

Food waste (blue caddy):

• All scheduled collections as normal

Clinical:

• All scheduled collections as normal

Residents should only visit recycling centres if absolutely necessary.

Those with small amounts of waste which are suitable to be placed in the kerbside collection, those over 70, those who are self isolating (vulnerable or displaying symptoms of COVID 19) should not visit the sites from today (Monday 23 March) until further notice.

The new measures follow thousands of people using Devon's recycling centres over the weekend and not adhering to Government advice and the social distancing guidelines.

Staff at Devon's 17 open Household Waste Recycling Centres are limiting vehicle access at the gates to enforce the government's social distancing guidelines.

There will be in a 'no assistance/no contact' policy in place at recycling centres and users are requested to lift/handle their own waste and adopt the social distancing guideline.

People with large volumes of waste should consider alternatives such a skip hire or Hippo bags.

Home composting should be practised where possible.

Residents should delay projects that generate large volumes of waste such as clearing out the shed/garage.

Waste should be held at home where possible.

Credit/debit cards will be the only form of payments accepted for chargeable waste – no cash. Resale shops are already closed.

Those still wishing to use the recycling centres for essential purposes should expect lengthy traffic queues and therefore should only visit if absolutely necessary.

For more information please go to Devon County Council's website.