Dozens of road maintenance workers in Moray have been retrained to create a reserve team for bin crews.
Household recycling collections were suspended for three weeks near the beginning of the coronavirus lockdown due to staff shortages while personnel were in self-isolation.
Most pick-ups were restored on a limited three-week cycle last week after changes were made to comply with social distancing rules.
Only glass is not currently being collected.
Now Moray Council has announced that 40 employees from road maintenance teams have been trained for bin collections to support the service further.
The extra staff are being used to fill gaps in rota created by waste crews falling ill, those who are required to self-isolate or who are on annual leave.
Moray Council has stressed it will keep the situation under “constant review”, but has praised the commitment of employees for their willingness to adapt.
Elsewhere, Highland Council has confirmed its fortnightly garden waste collections will resume from Monday, May 11.
The pick-ups were suspended across the region due to the authority having about 40% less staff running the service and with priority given to emptying other bins.
Carron McDiarmid, chief executive officer of communities and place with Highland Council, said: “It has been a challenge to deliver services during these exceptionally testing times.
“The staffing situation has now been reviewed and additional staff resources have been identified which now allows for the recommencement of the garden waste collection service.”
Meanwhile, eight catering staff from schools in Moray have been using their free time to volunteer in the kitchen at Lhanbryde Community Centre.
The employees are helping to make up to 200 meals a week for charity Moray Food Plus.
The meals are being distributed by the authority’s community justice team to residents in the village as well as Buckie, Lossiemouth and Aberlour.
Mairi McCallum, project manager at Moray Food Plus, said: “We are delighted the school catering staff are joining our team of volunteers, bringing their skills and knowledge to help in the preparation of meals for the Moray community.
Moray Council’s catering manager, Elaine McRae, added: “When Moray Food Plus asked for volunteers, we were happy to get involved.”
