Leeds City Council has started to collect recycling bins for the first time since bin strikes started over two months ago.

The council has begun the collections because it now has enough temporary workers in place to send out ten recycling crews across the city.

Striking refuse collectors have been embroiled in a row over pay since 7 September (see MRW story).

Over 450 people applied for 50 initial vacancies when the council advertised the jobs at the beginning of November.

Private contractors will continue to collect black bins [refuse waste] at least once every two weeks.

Leeds City Council councillor James Monaghan said: “We’re keen to help people recycle despite the ongoing disruption caused by those on strike. The overwhelming response we’ve had to our advert for temporary workers means we’ve been able to start up collections of recycling from homes across Leeds once again.

“We know lots of people have been recycling through our household waste sort sites and now we’re very pleased to be able to improve the service by collecting green bins as well.

“From the collections we made last week, it is clear to see people have been carefully storing their recycling materials and contamination is not likely to be a big problem.”