January 2024

Latest news

Sorry for any delays to recycling collections

Over the last few days our crews have been busy trying to get to everyone. Unfortunately due to very heavy post-Christmas loads and some vehicle issues, as well as challenging weather conditions we have had some delayed collections.

We’re hoping to be back on track by the end of Saturday (6 January). We’re sorry for the delay and thank you for bearing with us.

Changes to waste collection days – look out for your letter

You may have had a letter from us land on your doorstep this week – if you receive one it means that your recycling and rubbish collection day is changing next month.

If you don’t get a letter, your day will be staying the same.

Free disposal of DIY waste - please book ahead

You can now dispose of some DIY waste free of charge at recycling sites – but you need to book ahead.

Following a recent change of legislation, charges for disposing of construction and demolition materials including: asbestos, plasterboard, hardcore and rubble from household DIY projects have been removed (limits apply).

Let us know your views on next year’s budget

We've launched a public consultation on our budget, offering residents and businesses the chance to have their say as we face a financial emergency.

The consultation is open to everyone and the results will help influence Councillors as they look to set a balanced budget in February 2024.

The consultation covers a wide range of services which includes waste and recycling sites.

Reuse

Make 2024 the year you fix it and reuse it!

Have you made a resolution to save money or help the environment this year? Did you know that getting your stuff fixed or reusing your items is often the simplest way to reduce your carbon footprint?

In Somerset we're lucky to have a growing network of community repairers. We also have a new CAG Somerset (Community Action Group) who are working with Fixy and Somerset’s repair network. Somerset’s volunteer-run repair groups are a great place to go for advice and help with fixing your things.

There are loads of groups right across Somerset.

Get started on your repair and reuse journey by:

• Checking your cupboards before you buy new, you may be able to get your item repaired.
• Looking for a local group online, (or find your local group on Facebook)
• Following ‘The Fixy Project’ on Facebook and be the first to hear about upcoming events.

Repair events can bring people together and offer practical help when commercial repair costs are rising. Many small repairs are easy to do with a little know-how, lots of help can be found online, and plenty of people in your community have useful skills.

Get it sorted!

Bag up your recyclables

Some of you will soon be part of a trial for a new type of recycling container. The trial will see black boxes (used for paper and card) swapped out for a black bag. The bag is similar to the bright blue bag we use for plastics, tins, cans and foil.

We’re trying out this new bag to see if it works for both residents and crews – if it gets the thumbs-up, then we’ll make the swap permanent.

If we were to make the switch it is expected to save the council more than £60,000 per year.

If we switch, homes in the trial areas will keep their new black bags. We will then begin to issue the bag instead of a box whenever a request is made for a new or replacement paper and card recycling container. We will, of course, use up existing stocks of black boxes first.

We’ve written to each household where the trial is taking place – so if you don’t get a letter then nothing is changing for you right now. Those in the trial will be asked to feedback, we’ll share this once the trial has finished in a few months.

A bit too much for your recycling boxes?

What can you do if you have extra recycling following the festivities?

• Visiting a recycling site is the best way to get rid of large quantities of any materials, especially when public holidays or severe weather disrupt the usual recycling and rubbish collections.
• Make the most of your recycling containers. Crushing, squashing and flattening waste means you can fit more in your box – and crews more into the trucks. When you squash your waste it also makes it easier to sort.
• If you have the space, save extra recycling and put it out the following week.

Christmas lights or other broken electricals?

Don’t forget you can also recycle small electricals at the kerbside, first remove batteries and then put electricals into a carrier bag and separate batteries into a second, tied bag and put these on top of your boxes.

Christmas Cards

This year’s Christmas cards can become next year’s gift tags. If you need to recycle them, use your black recycle box, but remove glitter and ribbons first. Cards can also be taken to any recycling site.

Christmas trees

• Compost at home, if you can.
• Garden waste subscribers: leave your tree, decoration-free, with your garden waste bin for collection – as long as it is no taller than 6ft. Collections restart on Monday 8 January. Trees taller than 6ft will not be collected, as they are too large for collection crews to handle.
• If your tree is larger than 6ft, or if you are not a garden waste subscriber, you will need to take it to the recycling site, where trees can go in the garden waste skip.