Story: Fran Belbin
Council cuts to household waste services are starting to take effect across the city. Black bins are now being emptied just once a fortnight and residents are already feeling the impact as waste starts to accumulate.
Meanwhile the Shirecliffe household waste recycling centre has been affected by strikes in the face of a reduction in opening hours to weekends only. The Longley Avenue West site has remained open during the strikes, but staffed by managers. When Burngreave resident Chris took a trip to the tip:
“There were queues when I arrived and there seemed to be a few disagreements going on about how to manage the work.”
Since privatisation, Veolia have subcontracted the sites to SOVA Recycling, who have reduced pay and cut working hours. The GMB argue that Veolia and SOVA are making a profit from recycling at the expense of staff and users of the service.
The staff have now suspended the strike to try and help SOVA win more work so the site can stay open.
The Council have apologised for the inconvenience and blame the problems on massive government cuts.
Details of waste collections and recycling services can be found on the Council website at http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/waste.