RECYCLING and rubbish collections are set to start at 6am, as a high number of staff are isolating due to Covid-19.

From February 1, crews are asking residents to put their rubbish and recycling out the night before, or before 6am in the morning.

This is to reduce staff numbers in the depots at any one time, and give crews a head start with the extra work when staff are absent.

In January, nearly 800 operational days were lost due to Covid-19, compared to the 58 days lost in December.

Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) have also said they will not always be able to return for missed recycling and garden waste collections.

"Collection crews work in tightly-controlled team bubbles; the whole bubble isolates if a member tests positive, is in contact with someone who tests positive, or is symptomatic," said a spokesperson for SWP.

"This means far higher staff absences than expected, plus unpredictable daily changes as teams isolate or return to work, and crews are reallocated to maintain services.

"Missed collections are usually returned for the following day, but this is becoming increasingly difficult. Rubbish collections will not be affected, but recycling and garden waste could be.

"Where crews cannot return the following day, people will need to take containers in until their next collection."

The 6am start will be in place for a month, but may be extended if needed.

Mickey Green, managing director of SWP, added: “Waste collection is an essential service and the safety of staff and public is paramount.

"That means we need to keep the wheels turning while reducing risks and managing the demands we put on crews.”