Recycling centres in Devon could soon re-open following their initial closure following the coronavirus pandemic.

All Household Waste Recycling Centres in the county were closed on March 24 after the Government announced lockdown restrictions, but yesterday (Wednesday), local authorities agreed to re-open some of the 20 household waste recycling centres across Greater Manchester.

Devon County Council has now said it is looking to re-open Household Waste Recycling Centres, as soon as it is safe to do so and Government guidance permits.

But until that time, the council is urging residents to avoid having a spring declutter or undertake home improvements that may create extra waste.

Cllr Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Development and Waste, said: ‘It’s understandable that people have more time on their hands and want to keep busy, but it does push extra waste onto already stretched services, especially as Recycling Centres remain closed.

‘We are looking to re-open these facilities as soon as it is safe and government guidance allows.

‘Until that time I ask that people to please be patient and store excess waste or wait until restrictions are lifted. It would help keep collection services running smoothly.’

The amount of fly-tipping across the UK has soared since the start of the coronavirus lockdown, according to an app created to combat the illegal dumping of rubbish.

Martin Montague told SkyNews that his ClearWaste app is being bombarded daily with hundreds of photographs from across the UK, with the first week of the lockdown seeing a rise of 54 per cent nationwide compared with the figure for the previous week, and by Easter, fly-tipping reported was up by 75 per cent.

Collection crews across Devon say they have been delighted with the level of public support shown to them in recent weeks, including pictures and thank you notes left on bins and outbreaks of spontaneous doorstep applause from appreciative residents.

To help households and collection crews keep on top of waste and recycling, residents are encouraged to consider the following advice:

Your bin may be collected earlier or later than usual due to collection round changes. Find out what time your bin should go out hereto avoid a missed collection.

• If your car is parked on the street, make sure there is room for a collection vehicle (or emergency service vehicle) to pass.

• Keep hold of clean and wearable textiles and shoes until restrictions are lifted, when charities will urgently need your donations.

Wash, squash and flatten your recyclables to increase the capacity of your recycling bin, box or bag.

• Start home composting your uncooked food, peelings and garden waste from as little as £13. Buy a compost bin or build your own from pallets. Alternatively, leave grass cuttings on the lawn to return nutrients to the soil.

• Think about your food waste. Find recipes to effectively use up ingredients via our FREE online recipe book ‘Have your food and eat it’.

• Residents showing COVID 19 symptoms are advised to store recyclables for 72 hours before placing in the regular recycling container. Any personal waste, such as tissues, need to be double bagged and then stored for 72 hours before being placed in the residual waste bin.