A NUMBER of bin collection services in Southampton is to change due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Glass collection services across the city have been temporarily suspended while the garden waste collection service will resume next week.

Meanwhile, kerbside glass collections and the bulky item collection service remain suspended until further notice.

The news was announced by Southampton City Council.

It comes as on March 31 the authority suspended the garden waste collection as part of the measures taken to stop the spread of Covid-19.

The city council said subscribers to the garden waste collection service will see pickups resume on their normal collection day starting from April 20.

According to the authority, customers will receive a renewal discount for the 2021 service that will reflect the duration of the disruption to this years’ service.

Residents have now been invited to store mixed glass bottles and jars at home until the service is reinstated. The council urged people not to put glass in the general waste bin but said it can be deposited at one of the glass bottle recycling banks in Southampton.

"This should only be done as part of an essential journey, such as visiting a supermarket or convenience store to purchase necessities," said the authority in a statement. Meanwhile, personal waste such as used tissues and disposable cleaning cloths should be stored securely within disposable rubbish bags. The council is advising residents to place these bags into another bag kept separate from other waste and put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in the usual external household waste bin.

Cllr Jacqui Rayment, cabinet member for transport and place, said: “We are really pleased to be able to bring back the garden waste collection service. It was a difficult decision to suspend it but one we needed to make to allow us to deal with any staff absences due to sickness and self-isolation issues. We are keeping other suspended services under close review with a view to bringing them back whenever it is safe and possible to do so."

Residents have also been asked to disinfect the handles of wheelie bins after they have put them out for collection.