Information packs are being sent to North Somerset households. Picture: NSC

Packs detailing three-weekly bin collections being sent to North Somerset households

Paul JonesMay 14, 20250 Comment0

THE change to three-weekly bin collections in North Somerset are detailed in a new information pack being sent to households.

The packs, which contain details of changes to recycling and rubbish collections from June 9, outline new pick-up dates – and recycling options.

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

Any household facing a break of more than three weeks as the new timetable is rolled out will receive an additional one-off Saturday collection.

Most people’s recycling and waste collection day will also change as North Somerset Council (NSC) looks to “increase the efficiency of collections, reduce emissions, and improve reliability of the service”.

Councillor Annemieke Waite, 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 more than £1m to help fund vital local services.”

From June 9, 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 put out for recycling in the 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 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.

A new, free North Somerset Council app has also 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.

“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,” Cllr Waite added.

“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.”