Somerset Council is warning of major disruption to waste collections across Taunton and the surrounding areas following a serious accident on the M5 this morning.

The associated road closures and congestion are unfortunately having a significant impact on collections of rubbish, recycling and garden waste today.

Crews will do their best to complete as many rounds as possible, but thousands of collections will need to be rescheduled.

Residents are asked to leave their rubbish and garden waste out if it is not collected by the end of today (Friday, 28 June). Crews will return tomorrow (Saturday, 29 June) for any collections missed today and any that cannot be cleared will be returned for on Monday (1 July).

Residents are asked to bring their recycling, including food waste, in if it is not collected by the end of today, and put it back out next Friday (5 July).

Attempts to catch-up missed recycling during the week will cause delays and disruption across the county.

A spokesperson for Somerset Council said:

We apologise for the disruption and delays and ask for everyone’s patience as we work to catch up on collections in the coming days”.

If your recycling collection is delayed:

• Many of the items in recycling can be squashed, crushed or flattened to make the most of the space in your containers.
• Food waste caddies and bins should be kept somewhere cool and in the shade. If the food waste has to go it can be double-bagged and taken to the Energy from Waste skip at a recycling site or put in your rubbish bin.