SWP: festive waste and Covid-19 delays some collections
Released On 5th Jan 2022
Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) is asking for patience and help as Covid-19 absence and heavy loads delay some collections.
The vast majority of SWP's 400,000-plus weekly collections are running smoothly, but some are being delayed as depleted crews endeavour to keep with the demands of Christmas and New Year waste.
To ease the pressure, residents can make use of recycling sites and make the most of their recycling boxes and bags by crushing, squashing and flattening their recycling.
Rubbish and clinical waste collections are being prioritised and if missed will be returned for within two working days.
Missed recycling collections will be returned for within two working days where possible. If crews cannot get back in that time, it will be collected on your next scheduled day the following week.
Some recycling collections due yesterday (Tuesday 4 Jan) in parts of South Somerset and Mendip are delayed until Monday 10 January. Affected locations include parts of Frome, Berkley, Beckington, Standerwick, Crewkerne, Merriott, South Petherton, Over Stratton, Wigborough and Yeabridge.
Missed collections will be monitored to ensure no-one is missed for consecutive weeks.
The latest information on delays can be found on the SWP website.
Mickey Green, SWP Managing Directors, said: "Crews have worked extremely hard throughout the pandemic, but the current situation is making a tough job even harder.
"We apologise to anyone whose collection is disrupted. We are doing everything we can to keep things on track and ask for everyone's patience and help in the coming days".
If a collection is delayed, residents are asked to consider:
- Making use of Somerset's recycling sites - All 16 are all open their normal winter hours. This is the best way to recycle large loads of cardboard and paper gift wrap.
- Crushing, squashing and flattening recycling - to speed up collections, help crews get more into each load, and make the most of your recycling boxes and bags.
- Food waste- keep the caddy and bin somewhere cool. If it has to go urgently it can be taken to a recycling site (must be double-bagged) for the Energy from Waste skip, or put it in your rubbish bin - double-bagging reduces smells.
- Contact SWP online wherever possible - using the My Waste Services feature on the SWP homepage.
Collections are still slightly different this week due the festive public holidays and crews will be working Saturday to make collections usually scheduled for the Friday (7 January).
Usual collection day Revised collection day
Tuesday 4 January Wednesday 5 January
Wednesday 5 January Thursday 6 January
Thursday 6 January Friday 7 January
Friday 7 January Saturday 8 January
South Somerset residents can check their days on the printed Recycle More collection day calendars.
Everyone can check their collection days using the My Collection Day feature on the somersetwaste.gov.uk website. Dates can be downloaded for printing or straight into the calendar on your laptop or mobile device.
As usual, garden waste collections do not take place over the festive fortnight but are scheduled to start again in the week beginning 10 January.
For lots of information on how to reduce, reuse and recycling this Christmas, visit the Somerset website somersetwaste.gov.uk/festive
