Recycling recommences in Invercargill on Monday (May 11), as the nation moves towards Alert Level 2 of the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Up to 20 Southland disAbility Enterprises (SdE) workers will begin manually sorting materials collected from yellow household bins around the Southland region.

SdE general manager Hamish McMurdo said the rest of SdE’s workforce would return to work once more details about Level 2 operations were available and further risk assessments had been done to ensure workers remained safe at work.

“We have a very ‘huggy’ workforce. It was tough for some of them to work through the stages pre-lock down,’’ he said.

SdE’s workers – 82 disabled staff and 18 driving or supervising staff – have been paid to stay at home since March 26, when the country moved into level 4 COVID-19 lockdown.

In the interim, yellow bin contents have been sent to landfill, but as of Monday normal recycling and processing resumes.

“I am looking forward to seeing the team back in to resume their lives. It has been tough on some of the guys,’’ Mr McMurdo said.

All staff were being paid during the lockdown and were contacted at least once a week, “most more often’’. 

“Staff requiring extra support in terms of food or medical needs have had offers of a pick-up or drop off service, if needed. We have been sharing ideas on addressing lockdown boredom including games and a lockdown photo sharing activity,’’ Mr McMurdo said. 

The lockdown timing had “not been great’’ because it forced the cancellation of SdE’s annual awards function on March 20.

However, the spotlight will still shine on the staff who were eagerly awaiting an episode of Attitude TV featuring the team, expected to screen on TVNZ 1 at 11am tomorrow (Sunday May 10).

Mr McMurdo said the episode was put together quickly, just before COVID-19 restrictions kicked in, and he wanted to encourage everyone to watch it. 

A limited number of SdE staff have been back at work since the country moved to Level 3 restrictions on April 28 to prepare the processing facility for reopening safely at Level 2.

Mr McMurdo said he was satisfied SdE’s new workplace procedures complied with Ministry of Health guidelines and risks could be managed.

The business had been reorganised to ensure physical distancing was maintained at all times. There was extra personal protection equipment and machinery would be regularly sanitised, he said.

At Level 3, SdE could not reopen wider operations and services, such as the recycling drive-through or business processing.

Mr McMurdo said customers should clean and stockpile recycling until all drive-through and drop off areas could be reopened.

“The other more significant challenge is ensuring that all yellow bin holders are disciplined and only place genuine products for recycling in their bin,’’ Mr McMurdo said. 

A list of what can be placed in recycling bins is on WasteNet’s website.

Meanwhile, Invercargill City Council senior waste officer Donna Peterson said customers should remember their recycling has to be handled by other people.

“If you have been using your yellow recycling bin for general waste under Alert Level 4, now is the time to stop and wash out your bin. Like always, all plastic, metal and glass needs to be empty and thoroughly washed before going into your yellow bin. Please be kind, and consider the safety of the Southland disAbility Enterprises team,’’ Ms Peterson said.