Skip to content
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Force Majeure: Service Suspensions Explained

Sometimes, events outside of anyone’s control can disrupt waste and recycling services. This is known as “force majeure.” Understanding how force majeure works helps businesses prepare for possible service suspensions and manage waste responsibly during unexpected disruptions.

✅ What Is Force Majeure?

  • Definition – “Force majeure” refers to unforeseeable events beyond reasonable control that prevent a business or service provider from meeting obligations.

  • Examples – natural disasters, floods, fires, storms, industrial action, pandemics, or government restrictions.

  • Application in waste services – during these events, bin collections or scheduled waste services may be delayed, suspended, or rescheduled.

✅ What Force Majeure Covers

  • Extreme weather events – floods, bushfires, or storms making collection routes unsafe.

  • Industrial disruptions – strikes or work stoppages beyond the control of service providers.

  • Government restrictions – lockdowns, site closures, or access restrictions.

  • Transport breakdowns caused by emergencies – e.g. closed roads due to natural disasters.

❌ What Force Majeure Does Not Cover

  • Regular service delays – traffic, minor breakdowns, or scheduling issues are managed under normal service procedures.

  • Customer misuse – overfilled bins, blocked access, or contamination issues are not “force majeure.”

  • Predictable seasonal changes – like holiday volumes, which are managed through planned schedules.

How Force Majeure Affects Businesses

  • Temporary service suspension – collections may be paused until it’s safe to resume.

  • Delayed pickups – services may resume later than scheduled.

  • Limited access to certain areas – some sites may be unreachable until conditions improve.

  • No penalties applied – during a force majeure event, customers are not penalised for missed services.

Household Context

Household waste collections are also affected by force majeure — councils may temporarily suspend kerbside pickups during floods, bushfires, or other emergencies.

Business Tips

  • Stay informed – monitor provider updates during extreme events.

  • Have contingency space – keep spare bin capacity or arrange temporary skips if a disruption is prolonged.

  • Secure waste areas – during storms or disruptions, ensure bins are closed and safely stored.

  • Plan for recovery – once services resume, consider increasing collection frequency to clear backlogged waste.

Quick Reference

Covered by Force Majeure Not Covered
Floods, fires, storms Overfull bins
Government restrictions Blocked site access by customer
Industrial action Routine traffic or delays
Natural disasters Seasonal high waste volumes

Best Practices Summary

  1. Understand that force majeure events are beyond anyone’s control.

  2. Plan ahead with spare capacity or temporary solutions.

  3. Follow provider updates to know when services will resume.

  4. Stay flexible—collections will resume as soon as conditions allow.

Conclusion: Preparing for the Unexpected

Force majeure events are rare but unavoidable. By understanding how service suspensions work and planning ahead, your business can stay resilient during disruptions and return to normal quickly once services resume.

👉 Check out Waster’s General Waste bin options today in our online shop.

Download Now: Free PDF Business Owners Guide To General Waste Bin Services