We are continuing to monitor the Coronavirus situation closely. We understand that we provide essential services to all of our customers and want to reassure everyone that we are doing everything we can to assure that our services continue with minimum disruption for those that remained open and those that are opening back up. Any updates as the situation develops and news regarding our services will be posted here.
Latest Coronavirus News and Service Updates
5th January 2021 - Following the national lockdown announcement in England on Monday 4th January 2021, we would like to reassure customers that our services will continue to be available in line with the Government guidelines. We remain committed to protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and customers that we serve. Our PPE waste disposal and regular waste management services remain available for all businesses allowed to stay open. For enquiries about our COVID secure waste management services, please call us on 01706 823001.
3rd November 2020 - With the second lockdown in England beginning this Thursday we want to reassure our customers that, as an essential business out waste management services will continue throughout the duration for both new and existing customers. Our services are COVID-19 safe with social distancing measures in place. Our priority is to continue to provide our services in the safest way possible. We are wholly committed to protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and customers that we serve.
18th August 2020 - As more sectors of the economy continue to re-open, all of our services are available to current and new customers with COVID-19 secure measures in place. See our list of waste management services here for more information. We continue to follow government guidelines and advice from the World Health Organisation to create a safe environment for our staff and customers.
25th March 2020 - ISM Waste & Recycling remains open, with strict measures in place. To help slow the spread, where possible staff are now working from home for the foreseeable future in line with the Governments guidelines. Schedules will continue as usual unless alternative arrangements have been made. However please understand there may be a few delays with collections to protect you and our staff. For any information or enquiries, contact us on info@ismwaste.co.uk or call 01706823001.
20th March 2020 - Recycling and waste sector employees have been granted 'key worker' status by the government, meaning they will continue to receive educational and care provision for their children during the current coronavirus crisis.
In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, ISM has looked at where our staff and customer's employees could be at potential risk of spreading the virus and how this can be alleviated. Reduced person-to-person contact, social distancing, regular hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and regular use of hand sanitiser gel are the main practices we will be implementing to help reduce the spread of the virus as the Government is advising.
Each of our drivers can come into contact with as many as 100+ customers in any one day, which could seriously put them at risk of spreading or contracting Coronavirus.
Suffice to say, when called upon, all of our drivers will be practising social distancing of at least two meters where possible, and such they will not be passing any pens or paperwork for signatures so to reduce the chance of spreading or contracting the virus. All delivery notes and collection tickets will be brought back to ISM to avoid close contact on your premises to mitigate this. Customer copies which you would generally receive on-site at the point of service will be sent out by post. It should be noted that we may have to introduce other prevention measures without further notice to protect all involved following the Government and NHS guidelines.
Like many businesses across the UK, we are closely monitoring the Coronavirus outbreak and following the advice provided by the NHS and Public Health England. We are committed to keeping safe to protect ISM staff, our customers and the general public. We will continue to monitor the situation as a priority. Still, at present, ISM Waste & Recycling is open as usual with minimal interruptions to our services. Anyone who displays COVID-19 symptoms or if they have people in their household with symptoms (high temperature and a continuous cough) has been and will continue to be asked to follow government advice and stay at home for the required period self-isolating. We will send staff home if they attend work and display the symptoms.
What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
- World Health Organization
How to Avoid Catching and Spreading Coronavirus
Everyone should do what they can to stop Coronavirus from spreading. Advice from the UK Government and NHS outlines who is most at risk and what we can all do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
It is particularly essential for people who:
- 70 years old +
- have a long-term medical condition
- are pregnant
- have a weakened immune system
Do
- wash your hands with soap and water often - do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
- avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of Coronavirus
- only travel on public transport if you need to
- work from home, if you can
- avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas
- avoid events with large groups of people
- use the phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services
For more information and advice about Coronavirus from the NHS click here.
More Coronavirus information
Dealing with Waste During the Coronavirus Outbreak
It is crucial to deal with all waste safely and securely during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, particularly if you have symptoms. We must all try to take extra care when dealing with waste during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Waste from possible cases and cleaning of areas where possible cases have been (including disposable cloths and tissues):
- Potentially contaminated waste should be put in a plastic rubbish bag and tied when full.
- The plastic bag should then be placed in a second bin bag and tied.
- The waste should be put in a suitable and secure place for at least 72 hours and marked for storage until the individual's test results are known.
Waste should be stored safely and kept away from children. You should not put your waste in communal waste areas until negative test results are known, or the waste has been stored for at least 72 hours.
- if the individual tests negative, this can be put in with the normal waste
- if the individual tests positive, then store it for at least 72 hours and put in with the normal waste
For more information from Public Health England about dealing with waste read more on the Public Health England website.
Here at ISM Waste & Recycling we provide waste management, skip hire, recycling and specialist waste services throughout the North West of England, for both commercial and domestic customers. We are currently offering specialist PPE disposal services to help keep workplaces save during COVID-19. We can safely dispose of PPE (personal protective equipment) securely, to ensure your business remains open and safe for you and your customers. Call us today on 01706 823001 for more information about our services.
