About the changes

information

Recycling and rubbish collection days have changed for some households in the west of the county.

The changes are being introduced in two phases. The second phase starts week beginning Monday 17 June 2024. You can read more on the changes in the questions below.

These changes will make sure our collections are as efficient as possible. This will reduce carbon emissions and improve the quality of service.

If you have a change it is very important that you put your refuse and recycling out for collection on the correct day. Crews will not be able to return for it if you miss it.

If your question is not answered here, you can get in touch with us with queries about the rerouting of recycling and rubbish by completing our form below:

Questions on the changes to your recycling and rubbish collection days

When will this change happen?

The second phase is due to start from the week beginning Monday 17 June 2024.

  • Phase two areas include: former Mendip and the majority of South Somerset.

How will I know if my day is changing?

Every household with a new collection day will be written to twice before anything changes.

Residents with a change will receive a letter in the post at the beginning of May. From 27 May, residents (in phase two areas) will receive their service guide, which includes a 12 month collection calendar.

Some towns and villages may be served by more than one route and changes may affect some streets but not others.

What are the changes?

Residents may have:

  • a change to collection day
  • a change in week that their refuse is collected (it will still be picked up every three weeks)
  • a one-off interim rubbish collection (this is to make sure no-one goes too long between rubbish collections)

There will be no changes to:

  • collection days for garden waste subscribers
  • clinical waste collections
  • communal property collections
  • schools waste collection

Why are you changing?

We are bringing in new routes to make sure our collections are as efficient as possible. This will reduce carbon emissions and improve the quality of service, but means that collections need to change for many households

The new routes should cut vehicle mileage and reduce carbon emissions by 7%. We will also reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

What happens if I miss my new collection?

We are sorry, if you put your recycling and refuse out on the wrong day, we will not be able to return for it. Crews will return on their next scheduled day.

I have not received a new collection calendar

Residents part of phase two will receive their calendar by the early June.  

Residents in the phase two areas will receive a calendar in the post (even if their days stay the same).

Your collection calendar will be available to download soon, please check back soon.

Will this be costing the Council money?

Waste collections are carried out on behalf of Somerset Council by their collections contactor Suez. The changes made will increase efficiency and therefore be cost effective. Any costs, including printing and postage of letters and guides are paid for by Suez, and come at no additional cost to the council.

Will my rubbish still be collected every three weeks and my recycling every week?

Yes, the frequency of all waste collections will stay the same. Some households will receive a one-off refuse collection on a Saturday to make sure they do not miss out while the changeover happens, this will be detailed in the letter.