The coronavirus pandemic has led to Hertsmere Borough Council making a change regarding its waste collection service.

From this coming Monday (April 6), the council will not collect the blue boxes which residents can fill paper with.

It is due to staff shortages and for operational reasons, the councillor responsible for environmental decisions in Hertsmere said.

Councillor Seamus Quilty said: "Everyone across the authority is working tirelessly to maintain all of our essential services. We've decided that, for a number of reasons, it is necessary to temporarily suspend the blue box collections 

"This is for both crew capacity and operational reasons. Withdrawing temporarily the blue box collections is the least impactful service reduction we can make to our waste and recycling service which is why we have reluctantly opted to make that change.

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"Can I take this opportunity to also thank our hard working crews for the efforts they are putting in at this extremely challenging time."

Residents are asked to put paper waste into brown bins, which will next be collected on April 13.

Check your black bin once council waste collection crews have visited next week as cardboard 'hook-ons' with more details will be left on the bins.

People should be also be aware that the Allum Lane recycling centre near Elstree, run by Hertfordshire County Council, is closed.

All recycling centres in Hertfordshire are currently shut. 

For more information about service changes and accessing support and advice, visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/coronavirus