Residents urged to look out for important recycling and waste information

Information packs outlining changes to recycling and waste collections have started to hit doormats across North Somerset. 

The comprehensive packs contain important information about the changes being introduced in June by North Somerset Council, to make recycling easier and reduce waste. 

From Monday 9 June black bin collections will switch from fortnightly to three-weekly for most households, and a wider range of recycling materials will be collected every week, including plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping.  

To help those households who have a gap between their old and new black bin collection day of more than three weeks, the council is providing an additional one-off Saturday collection. Residents are urged to look out for their information pack which has more details.  

Most people’s recycling and waste collection day will also change from Monday 9 June to increase the efficiency of collections, reduce emissions, and improve reliability of the service. 

Councillor Annemieke Waite, North Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, said: “We want to make North Somerset a thriving and sustainable place to live, work and visit. The changes being introduced will make recycling easier, reduce waste, and protect the environment.  

“I’m so proud that North Somerset Council will be the first council in the country to collect and compact plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping at the kerbside as part of a weekly household recycling service – two years ahead of the UK Government deadline to provide this service! 

“Last year we spent more than £4 million on processing the black bin waste produced by North Somerset’s households. Increasing the range of recycling and switching to three-weekly black bin collections will significantly reduce these costs, as well as generate savings of over £1 million to help fund vital local services.” 

From Monday 9 June, the council’s recycling vehicles will have a dedicated space to collect plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping such as crisp packets, film lids, plastic pouches and vegetable packaging, which make up around 10 per cent of black bin contents. From June, plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping should be presented for recycling in the household’s glass recycling box, squashed into a bread bag or carrier bag and tied with a knot to squeeze all the air out.  

There will also be larger compartments on recycling vehicles for collecting batteries, clothes, small electrical items and vapes, to improve the reliability of these collections. 

Red recycling bags have already been delivered to homes across North Somerset to provide extra space for more recycling. Anyone who hasn’t yet received one can request this online at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/threeweekly.

And a new free North Somerset Council app has launched to make recycling even easier. Residents can download the app from their app store to set up bin day reminders, get real-time service updates and access a search tool to check how to recycle items correctly.  

An analysis of the waste North Somerset households put in their black bins found that almost half (45 per cent) could have been recycled. Of the total waste put in black bins, over a quarter (27 per cent) was food waste, and almost half of this was unopened food still in its packaging. 

“We know many people in North Somerset are supportive and enthusiastic about recycling as much as possible, putting out their sorted recycling, including food waste, every week. For these households a change in frequency of black bin collections will not be a concern,” added Cllr Waite. “Several other councils have already successfully made the switch to three-weekly non-recyclable waste collections, including Somerset, East Devon and Mid Devon. When the changes begin, we’re asking everyone to give it a go.” 

Residents who may struggle with the new three-weekly black bin collections due to medical needs, children in disposable nappies or a larger household may qualify for additional non-recyclable waste capacity. An application form to request this will be available from the end of June. For more information, please visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/threeweekly. 

The changes will be introduced for the majority of households in North Somerset. Any properties not suitable for a less frequent black bin collection, such as those with communal collections and many town centre properties, will keep their current frequency, though it is likely the collection day will change. 

Garden Waste collections will be unchanged. Green bins will continue to be emptied on the same day and at the same frequency as the current schedule.