THE DIRECTOR of ACT NOWaste Michael Trushell says that, following a meeting of drivers employed by the household waste and recycling bin collection company SUEZ, industrial action notified for this Friday 27 May 2016 will not take place.

This means residents whose bins are scheduled for collection on a Friday should put their bins out this week as per usual.

The contingency arrangements currently in place to assist residents whose waste and recycling bins were not collected on Monday and Tuesday this week due to industrial action will remain in place until Sunday 29 May 2016. These include:

• the five temporary drop-off points in Phillip, Calwell, Kambah, Weston Creek and Tuggeranong which are available from 6 am to 8 pm each day
• acceptance of excess waste (up to two large plastic garbage bags or the equivalent of a green bin in volume) for free at the Mugga Lane and Mitchell Resource Management Centres
• additional collection services at the regional recycling drop-off centres to help cope with the expected increase in the recyclable material being disposed of by affected residents.

These measures have been well utilised with staff on hand to help residents dispose of their waste and recycling.

Michael reminded the community that while industrial action has been cancelled for this Friday, further industrial action may be lawfully undertaken up to Wednesday 8 June 2016.

“We encourage residents to continue to be mindful of their waste generation over the next couple weeks,” Michael said.

“By minimising the amount of waste created, people may be able to help their friends, family or neighbours by offering them any room they have in their bin to dispose of excess waste.”