TEMPORARY weekly rubbish collections have been introduced in Oldham because of coronavirus – with residents asked to put all their waste and recycling in the same bin.

From Monday (March 30) the council is temporarily introducing weekly general waste collections, rather than every three weeks.

The measure aims to ensure people’s rubbish is collected during the pandemic and the streets are kept clean amid staff shortages.

Residents should now only put out their grey bin by 7am on the normal collection day, and no other bins will be collected "for the time being".

However, temporarily people can put all of their household waste – including food and recyclable materials – into their grey rubbish bin.

But bosses have confirmed that they will not be picking up any side waste or extra bagged rubbish.

A town hall spokesperson said: “In these unprecedented times we are taking this step so we can maintain collections with reduced numbers of staff and also to ensure that waste is collected from homes on a regular basis.

“We ask for your support in this difficult time and once the crisis has ended we will revert back to our three weekly collections cycle as we recognise that recycling and cutting waste is important both for the environment and reducing our costs.”

If the grey bin is not emptied, residents should take it back into their property and put it back out the following week on the usual collection day.

Council leader Sean Fielding said it was a "fast moving situation" and they were having to ‘constantly react and review’ their position around rubbish collection.

“This temporary change will allow us to prioritise general waste and food collections, which must come first at this time to help keep our streets clean,” he said.

“Please only put your grey bin out on your usual collection day and also help spread the word about the temporary change as that will makes things easier for everyone.

“Please also look out for your neighbours and check that they are able to put the right bin out.

“Our staff, and those of partner organisations, are working hard, mucking in and doing a brilliant job – they are supporting our communities and are working in very difficult circumstances.

“We thank you for all your offers of support and are asking for your help again in keeping our borough clean.”

Arkwright Street Household Waste Recycling Centre, and the other sites across the area, have also been closed following the government announcement that people should stay at home.