Bin collections are one of the essential services Stroud District Council is trying hard to keep running as normal during the coronavirus pandemic.

But with more people spending time at home now and creating more waste, there are things everyone can all do to help SDC's waste crews keep up with demand.

“We know how responsive residents are to our award-winning waste and recycling service which means we’re one of the best performing councils in England,” said environment committee chairman, Simon Pickering.

“By making these relatively small changes we can continue to offer as full a service as possible to the whole district.”

Here are 12 ways to help Stroud District Council's waste crews during coronavirus:

1. Don’t put too much waste out. Extra bags (`side waste’) won’t be collected, so make sure your waste fits in your grey wheelie bin. If you have beige bags instead of a wheelie bin, crews will take a maximum of three bags on collection day.

2. Anyone who has, or suspects they have, Covid-19 should double bag their soiled tissues and cleaning cloths and store them for 72 hours before presenting in their wheelie bin or beige sack. Do not put tissues or used face masks in your recycling box. These should go in your general waste.

3. Minimise waste where you can. There are lots of tips to help you reduce food waste at: lovefoodhatewaste.com/

4. Recycle as much as possible. Check the guide on the SDC website for full details: stroud.gov.uk/environment/bins-rubbish-and-recycling/bins-and-recycling-containers/which-bin-should-i-use/green-wheelie-bin-and-box

5. Fold all cardboard to the approximate size of your recycling box. Larger pieces take up more space in the recycling trucks, resulting in more trips, and wasted time and fuel, so they may not be collected until made smaller.

6. Orders for extra or replacement receptacles aren't being taken at the moment, to allow SDC staff can concentrate on keeping other essential services running. The two exceptions are replacement residual (grey) waste bins and receptacles for new build properties that haven’t previously had any containers. If you don’t have a recycling box, you could use a storage box or laundry basket of a similar size instead; but do ensure it will be safe for the person collecting it to lift. If you haven’t got a food waste bin then you can use your small food caddy.

7. New bulky waste bookings have been temporarily suspended. Please keep large items at home until SDC is able to start the service again.

8. The household recycling centres (`the tip’), operated by Gloucestershire County Council, are all closed on government advice. Please keep hold of everything you would have disposed of there until they re-open.

9. When your wheelie bin, food bin and recycling box and bag have been emptied, wash your hands after taking them in. 

10. Avoid using SDC's textile banks, which are not accepting further donations at this time.

11. Avoid overfilling your garden waste bin. If you have too much for your bin, don’t force it in, try and wait for the next collection.

12. Please keep your distance. Stay at least two metres away from everyone, including the crews. They really appreciate the public’s support - so a cheery smile and wave will make their day.

Thanks to Ubico crew member Jamie Warren for the photo. He's on Twitter as @Jamiewa50042387