Dear Garden Waste Subscriber

Important: Industrial action affecting waste collections in Somerset

Annual pay negotiations between Suez UK (Somerset Council’s collections contractor) and the Unite union are ongoing and following a ballot, union members plan to take industrial action.

They intend to strike Wednesday to Friday, for four weeks from Wednesday 12 July to Friday 4 August.

Industrial action could be called off as late as Tuesday 11 July 2023. If that happens collections would operate as normal.

If the strike goes ahead, we will see significant disruption to all collections. We apologise for this and ask for your patience.

Collections of clinical waste, refuse, waste from communal properties and schools will be prioritised, but this is no guarantee they will be collected as scheduled.

We do not plan to suspend garden waste collections but expect significant delays. We will make a decision about existing subscriptions when we know the full impact of strike action.

The best place for the latest updates on the strike and advice on how to manage when collections are missed is (https://www.somerset.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-waste/waste-industrial-action/) please visit it frequently as this is likely to change often.

Please note: all 16 of Somerset’s recycling sites will be open as usual and can take almost all the materials collected at the kerbside, as well as refuse as a last resort.

What do I need to do next?

Please read the summary of advice and guidance below and in more detail on the (https://www.somerset.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-waste/waste-industrial-action/) webpage and share this information with friends, family and neighbours.

Please avoid contacting Somerset Council for further information beyond what is on the website. Our staff will be focussed in managing and limiting the disruption and will not be able to respond to individual queries.

Do not reply to this email, we will not receive it. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

What to do with garden waste

We realise that this may not be convenient for all customers but where possible please consider the following:

Reduce: Mow and prune less this summer.

Mulch: Use grass cuttings as a layer over soil to retain moisture and reduce weeds.

Compost: More on home composting, including a subsidised bin offer, here:

Recycle sites: All 16 Somerset recycle sites accept garden waste.

Please do not put garden waste into your refuse bin.

Yours sincerely,

Somerset Council Waste Services

Advice and guidance

Continue to put your recycling and refuse out on your usual collection days throughout the strike period – but expect many missed collections.

If your collection of recycling or garden waste is missed, bring your boxes, bags and bin back inside and put out again on your next scheduled collection day.

If your refuse collection is missed, leave it out and report a missed collection.

Put your waste out before 7am or the night before, even if your collection usually takes place later in the day because crews may be working routes differently.

There are three extra possible collection days for residents scheduled to get recycling collections:

If missed on Wednesday 12 July, put it out again on Monday 17 July.

If missed on Thursday 13 July, put it out again on Tuesday 18 July.

If missed on Friday 14 July and Friday 21 July, put it out again on Monday 24 July.

From 17 July onwards crews will accept one additional black sack of refuse at the side of the bin.

Extra recycling will also be accepted, if presented appropriately:

Plastics and cans in an open bag, like a bag for life, or a carboard box.

Glass needs to stay in your recycling box.

Cardboard folded and placed next to your recycling box, please keep to a minimum.

Bulky collections and container deliveries:

Both services will be suspended for the strike period.

Existing bulky collection bookings will be rescheduled.

We will do our best to honour existing orders of containers, but they are likely to be delayed.

Managing waste when collections are missed

Information is available on the (https://www.somerset.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-waste/waste-industrial-action/) webpage. Advice focusses on recycling – how to make the most of space in recycling boxes and bags, and options for food waste if it is not collected for a prolonged period.

We know these are not ideal solutions, but they could help some residents cope during what will be a very difficult time.