Somerset Waste Parnetship – Garden Waste Collections Suspendedopens PDF file
Six weeks to support waste services
Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) has
reluctantly decided to suspend garden
waste collections for six weeks from
Monday 2 August.
Collections are expected to restart from
Monday 13 September. Should that date
change, we will let subscribers know.
We apologise for this temporary
measure, which is essential to support
rubbish and recycling collections.
Suspending garden waste collections
allows us to redeploy staff to support
vital rubbish and recycling services. It
will not get the services back to normal,
but it will help minimise disruption.
Subscribers do not need to do anything.
Their subscription will be automatically
extended by eight weeks, including an
extra two weeks for the disruption,
especially at this key time for gardeners.
Collections of garden waste will
continue up to and including Friday 30
July. From that date on, SWP will not
return for missed garden waste
collections.
During the six-week
suspension, it will not be possible to
book collections of garden waste sacks.
After a pandemic year in which crews
worked far longer hours with heavier
waste loads, the LGV driver shortage
and COVID self-isolation of staff have
badly hit services.
We apologise for the recent delays to
many collections, and we are working
hard with collections contractor SUEZ to
maintain services. But there is no quick
fix. Somerset is not alone; many councils
face similar pressures.
What subscribers can do
■ Recycling sites. All 16 Somerset
recycle sites take garden waste.
■ Reduce waste. Mow and prune less
this summer; let it grow.
■ Mulch. Use grass cuttings to retain
moisture and reduce weeds.
■ Aid nature. Add branches to your
“wild corner” to help useful bugs.
■ Compost. More on composting,
including bargain compost bins, here:
somersetwaste.gov.uk/homecomposting
■ Do not put garden waste into rubbish
or recycling containers; do not fly-tip.
You can cut missed pick-ups
Help your crews get more done:
■ Sort materials into the right containers
and have all out by 6am.
■ Stack boxes in windy weather to
reduce waste being blown around.
■ Squash, flatten and (if safe) crush all
except glass and aerosols so crews can
collect more before unloading.
Questions? Vital to get in touch?
There is more information on garden
waste collections and the suspension,
full FAQs and an online contact form at
somersetwaste.gov.uk/gardenwastesuspension
If essential to get in touch, the form is
the quickest way to make contact.
If you cannot use the online form, DO
NOT contact your district council.
Instead, call this dedicated garden waste
service number: 01823 589900 (lines
open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday,
from 9am Thursday 29 July).
Get more done online
Via My Waste Services 24/7 at
somersetwaste.gov.uk, you can:
■ Order any recycle container free
■ Log missed collections after 7pm
■ Pay for asbestos/plasterboard
■ Order paid bulky waste pick-up
■ Sort clinical/assisted collections
■ Get recycle site van/trailer permit
■ Send comments about services
We make more than 400,000 kerbside
collections every week. Most are still
happening as they should, but too many
are being missed and we apologise.
Delays and disruption are frustrating but
would ask for your patience.
For latest news, visit
somersetwaste.gov.uk/service-update
SWP’s governing body has two
members from each partner council:
Mendip Cllrs Peter Goater, Tom Ronan;
Sedgemoor Cllrs Andrew Gilling, Janet
Keen; Somerset County Cllrs David Hall,
Clare Paul (Vice Chair); Somerset West
and Taunton Cllrs David Mansell,
Andrew Sully; South Somerset Cllrs
Sarah Dyke (Chair), Tim Kerley.
