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Rubbish collections

Bin collections for household waste every three weeks

Introduction

For most people in Somerset we will 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.

You can check your collection days online using the button below.

Check my collection days

Kerbside waste is all sent to generate electricity at an energy-from-waste plant in Avonmouth. As well as electricity for the national grid, the energy-from-waste plant powers a plastics reprocessing plant.

What we collect

Only household waste that cannot be recycled, including:

  • Vacuum cleaner contents
  • Cat, dog or other pet litter and waste
  • Nappies (please consider washable cloth nappies instead of disposables)
  • Cold ash (best put in bags to prevent dust)
  • Broken glass (ensure this is carefully wrapped)

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 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.

If you occasionally have extra refuse, this can be saved until your next collection or taken to a recycling site.

Last updated: October 17, 2024

Next review due: April 17, 2025

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