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Sorted!
Waste news
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 Collections will be a day later during the week beginning Monday 25 August.
- No collections on Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August.
- Collections will be one day later for the rest of the week including those on Friday 29 August, which will now take place on Saturday 30 August.
- Recycling sites that usually open on a Monday will still be open for the bank holiday.
You may think you’re a recycler but you threw away the equivalent of 740 carrots over a year.
We first collected food waste for recycling in 2004 and in the last 20 years our food waste recycling participation rate has been among the highest in England.
However, in Somerset, research shows that a large amount of waste is still thrown in the bin. In fact, last year about 37,500 tonnes of food waste was thrown out but only 21,500 tonnes of this was recycled via the brown food bins, the rest was put in general rubbish bins instead.
Many of us think we’re recyclers, but we know there is often something that’s missed when it comes to recycling our food waste. It could be something small like the odd banana peel, or packaged food that’s gone out of date.
We’re urgently warning residents not to place gas canisters in your kerbside recycling or rubbish after a near-catastrophic fire at a local sorting facility. In just six months, nearly 1,500 canisters have been found in recycling bags—many likely from summer barbecues and camping trips.
“These canisters are pressurised and can explode when crushed,” said Councillor Richard Wilkins. “We’ve already had four fires in a month. It’s only thanks to quick-thinking staff that no one was hurt."
Take small gas canisters to any of Somerset’s 16 recycling sites and speak to staff for safe disposal. Do not place them in any household bins. Let’s keep our crews and communities safe - handle gas canisters responsibly.
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Together with SUEZ, we’ve launched a story writing competition for children aged 7–16, encouraging young writers to explore the theme of food waste recycling.
Partnering with local author Ben Pulletz, the competition invites children to submit a 500-word story inspired by Luna the Globetrotter and her food waste adventures. The goal? To spark creativity while raising awareness about the environmental impact of food waste and encouraging everyone to recycle it!
Prizes include book vouchers and copies of Ben’s book, Luna Explores Somerset. Entries must be submitted by 7 September 2025 to recycle@somerset.gov.uk, or dropped off at any Somerset library.
Find inspiration and full details online.
Let’s get writing—and recycling!
Team Repair at Sexeys School
Over 150 students across Somerset have taken part in hands-on Team Repair workshops, learning to fix everyday gadgets and embrace sustainability. Funded by Somerset Council and SUEZ through the SW:EEP community fund, the 12-week programme reached five schools and one youth group, including students with special educational needs.
Participants aged 10–14 repaired items like microscopes, game consoles, torches, and remote-control cars, with 40% saying they’re now more likely to repair things in future. Teachers rated the programme 10 out of 10, and many students experienced their first-ever repair activity.
The initiative not only reduces electronic waste but also sparks interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers and environmentally-friendly jobs.
Councillor Richard Wilkins praised the programme: “It’s brilliant to see young people building confidence and skills that will last a lifetime.”
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Join the Fixy team this August as they head to summer events in Somerset! Learn about repair and reuse and how to donate your pre-loved tech. The team can accept anything digital, from smart watches and tablets to games consoles. For a full list visit the Fixy webpage.
Don't forget to bring along cables and chargers plus sign out of any iCloud accounts.
Event
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Location
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Date
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Time
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Wacky Wednesday (Wellington)
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Wellington Park, TA21 8NF
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Wednesday 13 August
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11am to 12.45pm
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Chard Community Hub
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Chard Community Hub, Boden Centre, Boden Street, Chard TA20 2AX
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Saturday 16 August
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9am to midday
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Watchet Summertime Festival
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The Esplanande, Watchet, TA23 0AJ
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Thursday 21 August
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11am to 3pm
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Launch of West Quantocks Repair Cafe (Watchet)
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Watchet Community Centre, Doniford Road, TA23 0TE
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Saturday 27 September
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10am to 1pm
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Computer monitors, TVs, display screens and printers are not accepted. You can offer these for reuse at online sites like Freegle (see our website for some local groups) or take to your local recycling site
 Every household can take up to eight, 50 litre sacks of construction and demolition waste to a recycling site free of charge per month. This can be spread over several visits. For example, two visits bringing four bags each time, or a single visit bringing eight bags.
However, you must only take DIY waste from your own home, and your own DIY activity. If pay someone to do the work, then this counts as trade waste. If a tradesperson takes waste to the recycling site on your behalf, they will be charged at the site. Waste from a business is not allowed.
You need to pre-book any trips to dispose of this DIY waste. Please let us know:
- the amount of material you are disposing (up to eight 50 litre sacks per month)
- the number of times you will need to visit (up to four visits per month)
You must book your visit to dispose of DIY waste in advance. DIY waste includes; asbestos, bricks, concrete, clay, plasterboard, rubble, sinks, tiles, toilets, stone and soil.
Most residents in Somerset (with a kerbside collection) will have now received their latest collections guide. But if you’ve already accidently recycled or misplaced it, or yet to receive it, you can download a copy online. Just head to our website where you can download the full guide, your collection schedule or add collection dates to your smart device’s calendar.
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