06/01/2023 - Bin collections update

Kingsway depot and collections update

10 January

Our waste transfer station continues to run at reduced capacity following the fire at the end of October last year and we’ve also had issues with the availability of hauliers to remove waste from the facility of late. This is having an impact on the volume of waste we have been able to collect recently and as such are still running behind with waste collections in some areas this week.

We have now fully cleared all collections from last week. However, in doing so it has had a knock on effect to some of Tuesday 10 January scheduled collections. We still have some general waste bins, dry recycling bins and glass boxes outstanding which will be cleared Wednesday 11 January.

Please continue to leave your bin(s) out and ready to be collected. We will empty your bin(s) as soon as it’s operationally possible.

We thank you for your continued patience. Further updates will be provided in due course.

9 January

Our waste transfer station continues to run at reduced capacity following the fire at the end of October last year and we’ve also had issues with the availability of hauliers to remove waste from the facility of late.

This is having an impact on the volume of waste we have been able to collect recently and as such we are still running behind with some waste collections from last week.

• Outstanding dry recycling collections (green bin) from Friday 6 January will be prioritised and we will collect these by no later than Tuesday 10 January.
• Outstanding kerbside glass collections (black box) from Friday 6 January will be prioritised and we will collect these by no later than Tuesday 10 January.

Please continue to leave your bin(s) out and ready to be collected. We will empty your bin(s) as soon as it’s operationally possible.

We thank you for your continued patience.

Check your bin collection dates

2 November

Council staff and emergency services worked hard throughout the weekend of 29 and 30 October to assist with the response following a large fire at Kingsway depot waste transfer station. Unfortunately due to the impact of this major incident bin collections services have been affected.

We have put in place plans to minimise disruption as much as possible. However, until we can determine the extent of the damage following this major incident we are unclear when the facility can be brought back into full operation.

At this stage we are prioritising collecting outstanding bins from last week, communal and high rise from today and from Tuesday we will prioritise domestic collections of household, recycling and garden waste.

We realise how frustrating it is for people if their bin isn’t collected on the date they expect and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience but we hope to significantly catch up so collections can run as scheduled from tomorrow onwards.

The service has already been experiencing operational difficulties due to the national shortage of HGV drivers that has impacted on our ability to recruit Refuse Drivers. We are doing everything we can to attract recruits to the council, but this could take some time. If you would be interested in working with us, or know anyone who might be please look at our recruitment pages.

Councillor Tom Shaw, portfolio holder for recycling and waste at Luton Council said, "Firstly I want to stress how relieved we are that no-one was hurt as a result of the fire at Kingsway depot.

"I'd like to thank the emergency services who were on site promptly and worked hard all day to bring the fire under control and to minimise the disruption to local residents.

"I also want to express my gratitude to our staff who worked tirelessly over the weekend to not only try and minimise the disruption to such an important council service, but also for their work setting up an emergency assistance centre for those residents evacuated from their homes.