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Waste news
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If you are planning to visit your local recycling site, please remember that from Wednesday, 1 October our 16 recycling sites will be changing to their autumn/winter opening hours. All sites will remain open on weekends from 9am to 4pm.
Midweek, opening days will vary from site to site, please check online. Recycling sites will be open from 9am to 5pm.
To find your local recycling site visit our recycling sites opening hours webpage.
Later this month our collections contractor, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, will be providing another peek behind the scenes at recycling facilities in Somerset.
Taunton tours are now fully booked, but there’s still spaces for Evercreech on Saturday 20 September!
Each tour allows residents to find out what happens after the colourful trucks collect their recycling. Booking is essential.
Grants now open for community projects
Great news for community groups across Somerset! Applications are now open for the second year of the Waste Not Somerset Fund. If you are part of a community group that has a bright idea to reduce or reuse waste, this is your chance to bring it to life with a grant of £5,000 to £10,000.
This initiative, backed by Somerset Council and SUEZ, is all about supporting innovative projects that make a real environmental impact. Whether you're launching something new, expanding a successful initiative, or replicating a proven idea in a new area, the fund is here to help.
The aim of the grant is to fund initiatives that cut down on waste sent to disposal and promote sustainable, resourceful practices across our communities.
Who can apply?
Local community groups and organisations in Somerset with a clear plan to reduce waste and encourage reuse. Projects should show how they’ll make a difference and inspire others to do the same.
How to apply: The fund is managed by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF). Full details and application guidelines are available on the SCF’s Waste Not Somerset Fund page.
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This autumn, Fixy will be on the road and heading to events across 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.
Event
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Location
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Date and time
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Fixy at launch of West Quantocks Repair Café
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Watchet Community Centre, Doniford Road, Watchet
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Saturday 27 September, 10am to 1pm
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Wells Eco Week
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Details TBC
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From Monday 20 October
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Fixy at Carhampton Repair Café
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Carhampton Village Hall, High St, Carhampton (TBC)
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Saturday 8 November, 10am to 1pm
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Don't forget to bring along cables and chargers plus sign out of any iCloud accounts. 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.
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Did you know, if every household in Somerset recycled every scrap of food waste then we’d save around £1 million a year? That’s why we’re asking everyone to make the most of their food waste recycling service.
We know that most residents in Somerset recycle, however sometimes it’s easy for things to be missed and chucked in the bin. Currently, around 16,000 tonnes of food waste still ends up in general rubbish bins each year, that’s the equivalent of three meals a week per household. Even more surprising? More than 7,000 tonnes of that is thrown away still in its packaging!
Recycling food waste isn’t just good for the planet, the process used to recycle food waste, anaerobic digestion, is cheaper and greener than sending it to Energy from Waste facilities. Somerset’s food waste is processed locally and is turned into renewable energy and fertiliser.
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7 in 10 households in Somerset already recycle their food waste, let’s get that even higher!
- Every piece counts, from plate scrapings to packaged food that’s gone out of date. Around 56kg of food per household is thrown in general rubbish each year.
- No amount is too small. Just 6 recycled teabags can generate enough energy to boil water for another cuppa!
Even small changes can make a big difference. Whether it’s potato peelings, leftovers, or that forgotten lettuce at the back of the fridge, if it’s food, it belongs in your food waste caddy.
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Repair groups help to bring your broken items back to life, usually for a small donation, for those that can afford it, to help the groups keep running. The groups bring together like minded people, who have skills in fixing things and will do their best to help give your item a second life.
Many groups are part of the Community Action Group (CAG) Somerset network, and this month we’re pleased to share that new groups are launching!
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West Quantocks Repair Café launch on Saturday 27 September, from 10am to 1pm. Drop in to Watchet Community Centre, Doniford Road, Watchet TA23 0TE.
This new group is seeking more volunteers for various roles, including social media, “meet and greet”, helping with teas, coffees and cakes. More repairers welcome, too. For more details please email repaircafe.watchet@gmail.com.
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Crewkerne Repair Hub also launch on Saturday 27 September 10am to midday, George Reynolds Centre (Oak room) South Street, Crewkerne TA18 8DA.
Whether you want a new or additional bin, box or bag, need to report a missed collection, start a garden waste subscription or check your collection day, the simplest way to let us know is via our online forms:
Need a hand with using our forms?
Check our YouTube playlist for videos on how to log a missed collection, download your calendar and book DIY waste online.
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