July 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 heavy traffic following Glastonbury Festival and several incidents on the M5 causing its closure, we’ve had some delayed collections.

We’re sorry for the delay and thank you for bearing with us.

If collection crews do face unexpected delays, updates are posted via @SomersetWaste on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

Barbeque season is here – enjoy responsibly!

Summer holidays are fast approaching, and hopefully some warm and sunny days. If you’re planning to eat al fresco and stoke up the BBQ, please remember to be careful when it comes to the clear up.

Barbeques can cause hazards and fires. Please avoid disposable barbeques as they create unnecessary waste. But if you do use one, it must be left to cool before it’s thrown away otherwise it may be a fire hazard.

After it’s been left to cool for a few hours, pour some cold water on top to be sure, as they can hold heat for a long time. When you’re sure it’s cool, you can dispose of it in your general rubbish bin.

For further advice on safely using a barbeque, head to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service’s advice page.

Check ahead for early starts

Heading into the summer season, very hot periods can mean we allow crews to start earlier to minimise the time crews spend working in the hottest parts of the day.

Look out for hot weather warnings issued via the news and social media, and if you want to be sure not to miss an early start, put your bins, boxes and bags out before you go to bed the night before.

Reuse

Are you ready to go single-use plastic free this July?

We’re backing the movement to go single-use plastic free and encouraging residents to be part of the solution to plastic pollution. Last year, households in Somerset recycled close to 6,300 tonnes of plastic using their kerbside collection. That’s about 30 lorry loads each month carrying about 18 tonnes each time.

Stay cool and hydrated

As the summer heat cranks up, it’s essential to keep yourself refreshed and hydrated. But why rely on single-use plastic bottles when you can make a positive impact on the environment and your wallet? Refill, reuse, and reduce waste Grab your trusty refillable water bottle and stay cool while minimising plastic waste. Refill stations are popping up everywhere, making it easy to top up your bottle on the go. Discover refill spots with the Refill app Want to find your nearest refill station? Download the Refill app to locate free water refill points near you. Remember, every small action counts. Did you know that you can easily top up with tap water when you’re out and about? Beat the heat and make a splash for sustainability. We’ve partnered with Wessex Water to provide free water bottle refill stations in 5 of the county’s busiest high-streets. These refill stations have helped to save thousands of single-use plastic bottles from going to waste.

Get it sorted!

Calling all businesses: get ready for new Simpler Recycling regulations

New ‘Simpler Recycling’ regulations are on the way, aiming to reduce any confusion about what can be recycled wherever you live or work in England.

The changes begin on 1 April 2025 and mean that businesses and non-household organisations (including schools, village halls and places of worship), will be responsible for recycling the same following set of materials:

• Food waste
• Paper and cardboard
• Glass bottles and jars
• Food tins and drinks cans, foil and aerosols
• Plastic bottles, pots tubs and trays
• Cartons, for example Tetra Pak
• Plastic films (from 2027)

We’ll share more information when it becomes available but in the meantime, if you want to get your business ready for the change, you can check for updates via GOV.UK’s Simpler bin collections webpage, as well as checking our business listings for companies that can collect your waste.

Updates to your inbox

Did you know that you could have more than waste news emailed to you?

We offer a variety of newsletter topics that you can subscribe to, including our climate news.

We’re inviting you to come on board to help deliver our climate strategy by subscribing to receive our Somerset Environmental and Ecological Newsletter (SEEN).

Each month news, project updates, and inspirational ideas about the work going on in the county will be delivered to your inbox. Plus tips and information to help us all live better, waste less and reduce our environmental impact. If we all do our bit and love where we live, we can keep Somerset clean, green and attractive.

Do you crush, squash and flatten?

We ask, if you’re able to, to squash, crush and flatten your recycling when it’s safe to do so.

When you do, it helps our crews to fit as much as possible into their trucks. This reduces the number of times they need to return to the depot to unload, helping to reduce mileage and making collections more efficient.

It also helps you! Crushed, squashed and flattened materials are easier to fit into your boxes and bags – making the best use of space.

Squash - plastic bottles and cartons. Take the lid off, then put it back on after squashing.

Crush - tins and cans if it’s safe to do so.

Flatten - cardboard boxes. Small bits of card can be put into larger boxes before flattening. Please cut or tear up large pieces.

Battery fires are on the rise, can you help to stamp them out?

The Recycle Your Electricals campaign has announced that there were more than 1,200 battery fires in bin lorries and waste sites across the UK in the last year.

Batteries are hidden in so many of our everyday items – from mobile phones and vapes to electric toothbrushes and children’s toys. All of which can pose a danger if not handled carefully, especially when it comes to throwing them away.

Batteries contain toxic chemicals, and can be flammable if crushed or if these overheat. The chemicals are also harmful to the environment.

Never bin batteries, always recycle them. When we recycle batteries, we help to prevent fires and the chemicals they contain are not wasted.