A council official in Flintshire has revealed that extreme summer temperatures forced the suspension of some bin collections to prevent potential fatalities among staff. Chris Goddard, the streetscene service manager for Flintshire County Council, described the conditions as a “perfect storm” that compromised worker safety.
Prioritizing Worker Safety
During the recent summer, the United Kingdom experienced record-breaking temperatures, with Wales officially declaring a drought and battling wildfires. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, these conditions created hazardous working environments for waste collection crews.
Explaining the decision to halt some services, Goddard stated, “We do have to make some difficult decisions but ultimately if there is a fatality in the workplace because of a decision I’ve made, that’s something that I would have to live with – and probably defend.” He emphasized that his primary responsibility is ensuring all employees return home safely, noting that the heatwave was one of several operational challenges, including staffing shortages, that occurred simultaneously.
Recycling Targets Remain on Track
Despite the disruptions to collection schedules, Flintshire County Council remains on track to meet the Welsh government’s national target of 70% waste recycling for the year. Local officials credited residents for their cooperation with the transition to three-weekly residual waste collections, which has contributed to improved recycling rates.
Councillor Richard Lloyd of Saltney noted that while the shift to three-weekly collections was initially met with controversy, it has proven effective. “It’s quite clear to see now that the three-weekly black bin collection has been a good new factor. Recycling has improved at the kerbside,” Lloyd said.
The council reported that it successfully reduced the volume of waste sent to landfills or the Parc Adfer facility by 6,467.49 tonnes between 2024 and 2026. This positive trend in waste reduction has persisted throughout the current year, notwithstanding the operational difficulties faced during the summer months.
