Recycling collections missed after multiple vehicle faults
Recycling rounds across parts of Somerset were disrupted on Monday 13 July after what Somerset Council’s waste services described as “several vehicle issues”. The council warned that hundreds of roadside pick-ups could be affected, with households in six areas advised to keep containers out for a follow-up collection the next day.
Residents in and around Burnham-on-Sea, Wincanton, Templecombe, Frome, Bruton and Shepton Mallet were told they may not receive their scheduled recycling service. The council apologised and confirmed crews would work to recover missed rounds on Tuesday.
“We’re sorry, following several vehicle issues today (13 July) we won’t be able to reach everyone as planned. Some households in and around Burnham-on-Sea, Wincanton, Templecombe, Frome, Bruton and Shepton Mallet may not have a recycling collection today. If your recycling isn’t collected, please leave your boxes, bags and bins out. Crews will return to collect them tomorrow. Thank you for your patience.”
What has changed for residents today
The disruption relates to recycling collections scheduled for Monday. Households in the affected locations who were missed are being asked to leave their containers out in the usual place so crews can complete catch-up rounds. The council has not indicated any change to general rubbish collections in the statement provided, focusing its update on the recycling service.
- Affected service: Recycling collections (Monday 13 July)
- Action for residents: Leave boxes, bags and bins out
- Recovery plan: Crews to return the next day
Where the disruption is concentrated
According to the council’s waste services team, six areas are covered by the alert. Not every street in these towns and surrounding areas will be impacted, but residents on Monday pick-ups have been asked to prepare for possible delays.
| Area | Collection affected | Original date | Planned catch-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnham-on-Sea | Recycling | 13 July | Next day |
| Wincanton | Recycling | 13 July | Next day |
| Templecombe | Recycling | 13 July | Next day |
| Frome | Recycling | 13 July | Next day |
| Bruton | Recycling | 13 July | Next day |
| Shepton Mallet | Recycling | 13 July | Next day |
Why this matters and what to expect
Missed recycling rounds can quickly create knock-on effects for residents, particularly where containers fill up between weekly or fortnightly services. The council’s decision to stage next-day recovery aims to limit any backlog. By asking people to keep containers at the kerbside, crews can complete missed collections without requiring additional booking or changes to normal presentation times.
While the council has not provided further detail about the nature of the vehicle issues, similar incidents typically involve mechanical faults or unavailability that temporarily take specialist collection vehicles off the road. Recycling lorries operate to fixed routes and time windows, and even a shortfall of one or two vehicles can mean teams are unable to complete all scheduled rounds the same day.
How to stay updated
Residents are encouraged to monitor official Somerset Council channels for any late changes to the recovery plan or for confirmation once routes are completed. Where possible, households should ensure containers are clearly presented at the kerb and visible for early morning collections, as catch-up rounds may not follow the usual time of day. If collections are completed, containers should be taken back in promptly to keep pavements clear.
InfoRadar will continue to monitor updates from Somerset Council’s waste services. If the council issues additional guidance or extends the recovery work beyond the next day, we will report the details for the affected communities.
