How Harborough residents have been putting a smile on the faces of bin collectors

Grateful children and families across Harborough are putting a huge smile on the faces of bin collectors.

Youngsters, along with their mums and dads, have hailed refuse crews for being “true heroes” as they defy the coronavirus emergency to take away our rubbish.

They are leaving heartfelt messages of praise, good wishes and colourful drawings to thank them for doing their bit for the community.

The vast majority of people are isolated in their households – but key workers across the UK are on the frontline continuing to deliver for the nation.

Along with countless professionals in the emergency services, health, social care and other vital sectors, the list of essential workers also includes waste management.

Cleaning up the streets and neighbourhoods of Market Harborough, Lutterworth and the villages is one such crew from FCC Environment, the UK’s leading waste and resource management company.

Over the last few weeks, the team has been receiving warm handwritten notes and drawings as residents thanked them and wished them good health.

And Market Harborough-based charity, HAB-Antibulling (HAB), which supports adults and children affected by bullying, is also helping out.

The charity usually operates an annual raffle of Easter eggs - an event that did not go ahead this year due to the Covid-19 crisis.

So the growing organization donated the eggs to FCC Environment workers to thank them for their stalwart service.

FCC Environment is now planning to run a virtual raffle with employees, with all proceeds being donated to HAB.

FCC Environment’s Contract Manager, John Whitup, said: “We were overjoyed to receive such encouraging and warm messages and donations from the community, from children to charity workers.

“The Covid-19 crisis has really highlighted the strong community spirit.

“We are delighted to be part of it by delivering continued services and giving back to the community.

“I am immensely proud of the FCC Environment team and the wider waste and resource management industry for doing our very best to continue our day-to-day duties during these extremely challenging times.”

Based in Market Harborough, John added: “We also want to reassure the public FCC Environment is working hard to ensure household waste is collected in a timely manner as well as urging them to continue to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as of their waste as possible.”

Cllr Jonathan Bateman, Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for environmental services, said: “Our crews are doing a fantastic job and going above-and-beyond at this very challenging time.

“I know the overwhelming positivity from the community is providing a welcome boost for the crews who are working hard to support our communities during this pandemic.”

About 107,000 people in the waste and resource management industry have been identified by the Government as key workers.

And among them are about 96 FCC Environment workers working on behalf of Harborough council.

Household recycling and waste collections are operating as normal in the Harborough area.

To protect workers and combat the spread of infection, anyone who feels ill at home should place all their waste in the general rubbish bin.

They should double-bag it, making sure the bags are securely tied.

They should then wait at least 72 hours before placing it out for collection.

This material should not be put in your recycling for now.