Introduction
For most people in Somerset, we collect your wheeled household waste bin every three weeks. This does not include communal properties.
If your property is not suitable for a wheeled bin (due to steps or lack of off-road storage), we will collect up to four bin sacks each collection.
The waste we collect is all sent to an energy-from-waste plant in Avonmouth, where it is used to generate electricity for the national grid and power a plastics reprocessing plant.
What we collect
We only collect household waste that cannot be recycled, including:
- Vacuum cleaner contents
- Cat, dog or other pet litter and waste
- Nappies (please consider using washable cloth nappies instead of disposables)
- Cold ash (please put in bags to prevent dust)
- Broken glass (please ensure this is carefully wrapped)
What we will not collect
Items that are not suitable for your waste bin:
- Food waste
- Anything collected for recycling
- Garden waste
- Hot fuel (ash, charcoal, solid fuels from fires or barbeques) – allow to cool and bag before binning
- Rubble, earth and stones
- Batteries, household or vehicle
- Gas cannisters – return to shop or take empty to recycle site (charges apply)
- Aerosols (if empty add to recycling, do not pierce or crush)
- Hypodermics
- Bulky household items
- Engine oil, paint or other chemicals
- Business or commercial waste
Waste service guidance
Unless you have an assisted collection, containers should be at the edge of your property by 7am on your collection day and no earlier than the night before. Please take care not to obstruct pavements or roads, and take containers back in as soon as possible after collections.
Only containers and wheeled bins supplied by Somerset Council or Somerset Waste Partnership can be used. Crews will not collect waste from other containers.
Bin lids should be closed and only waste in the bin will be collected. Extra waste on top or alongside will not usually be taken. Extra rubbish should be saved until your next collection, or taken to your nearest recycling site.