What does it involve?
Weekly collections : Separated food waste; Recycling including paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, cans, glass bottles and jars, aluminium foil, clothes (bagged to keep dry), shoes (in pairs).
Fortnightly collections: Refuse, optional charged Garden Waste service
What containers will be provided?
Prior to starting the service suitable households will be supplied with an additional recycling box, an external food waste bin with a lockable lid, a small caddy to collect food waste in the kitchen, a wheeled bin for refuse.
Households that are unsuitable for wheeled bins because of lack of storage space or steps will be able to continue putting out refuse in plastic bin liners.
Communal properties, like blocks of flats, will have separate arrangements made.
Frequently asked questions
How will I remember the collection days?
A calendar of your collection days will be provided when collection containers are delivered, shortly before the service starts in your area.
Can I use my own wheeled bin for refuse collections?
Only the wheeled bin provided by Somerset Waste Partnership can be used. Other wheeled bins will not be emptied.
Will the wheeled bin be big enough for my refuse with fortnightly collections?
During the trials nearly all households found the wheeled bin provided big enough.
Can I get a smaller or bigger refuse bin for my household?
Smaller wheeled bins (140-litre) can be provided, subject to availability. You will be sent a form to request this before the service starts in you area.
Larger bins are issued at Somerset Waste Partnership’s discretion to households that cannot reasonably be expected to contain their refuse in a standard size bin. Again, you will be able to request this just before the service starts in your area.
If I put out additional refuse in sacks will it be collected?
No. Sacks outside your wheeled bin will not be collected. This is to encourage waste reduction and full use of recycling and composting services. If you occasionally have extra non-recyclable waste, this can be saved until your next collection or taken for disposal to a Household Waste Recycling Centre. If you believe that, after recycling and composting, you will still regularly have excess refuse, please complete and return the application form for a larger wheeled bin that you will receive before the service starts in your area.
Does it matter if I cannot close the lid on my wheeled bin?
Please do not overfill your wheeled bin. Lids that are not closed can be damaged, cause spillages and create problems when they are emptied.
How can smells be avoided from refuse with fortnightly collections?
The weekly collections of food waste will minimise odours in your refuse bin. Other potentially smelly waste, such as nappies and pet litter, should be wrapped in plastic bags before placing in your refuse bin. If materials are properly wrapped and bin lids closed, this should avoid problems.
Can I use an ordinary dustbin instead of a wheeled bin?
No. Wheeled bins for refuse have been introduced partly to reduce manual handling injuries to refuse collectors, which can be caused by lifting heavy dustbins. Wheeled bins are lifted and emptied mechanically.
How can waste from disposable nappies be avoided?
Please consider using reusable washable nappies. As well as terry nappies with modern wraps, there are many new alternatives with easy fastenings. Reusable nappies save money in the long term, as well as avoiding waste. For further information click here.
