Essential Waste Definition in COVID-19 Crisis

As the country moves from Level 3 into Level 4 status, there have been many questions raised as to whether recycling is considered to be an essential service.  Below is the agreed position and information which MfE has supplied to the Department of Internal Affairs, for DIA’s dissemination. 

Today, 25 March 2020, it has been confirmed that recycling is an essential service. For now this is being interpreted as those activities that can continue as per the list below:

• collection of solid waste
• collection of recycling where practicable
• the disposal of solid waste
• processing of recycling where practicable, or alternatively, disposal

“Where practicable” will include a range of factors such an assessment by the service provider or facility operator as to whether the practice can be safely carried out.

Collection of commercial recycling is only deemed essential when supporting the activities of other essential services.

Infected waste:

MfE is working on standard communications that build on the above clarifications, such as what actions households with suspected or confirmed cases of the virus should take with respect to waste and recycling. These are currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Health and we will get them to you as soon as possible.

 Other key messages:

 Households nationwide: 

• Waste collection is an essential service and will continue throughout the Covid 19 response period.
• Continue using your kerbside waste collection service for waste disposal.
• Check your local council or private collector website and social media platform regularly for updates on kerbside collection dates and recycling arrangements.
• Municipal landfills and waste transfer stations will be open for essential services use only.
• Waste transfer stations may provide limited access to the public, please check your local council website for more information. 

• Public recycling facilities: please check council websites for arrangements in your area.

 Waste handling and kerbside collection workers:

 They are providing an essential service and will continue working.

• They will be provided with the appropriate protection equipment by their employers to ensure their personal safety.
• Please do not approach workers engaged in waste handling or collection services.

Official communications will follow and we will share any further detail that is forthcoming over the next few days as soon as we have it.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Janine Brinsdon
Chief Executive