Recycling disruption hits multiple Somerset towns
Hundreds of doorstep collections were missed across parts of Somerset on Monday, 13 July, after what Somerset Council’s waste services described as “several vehicle issues” affected rounds. The council has advised households in the affected areas to leave recycling out for recovery crews, who are expected to return the following day.
The disruption was reported across six locations: Burnham-on-Sea, Wincanton, Templecombe, Frome, Bruton and Shepton Mallet. While initial reports referred to both rubbish and recycling, the council’s statement specifically warned some households may not receive a recycling pick-up.
“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.”
Where is affected and what to do
Residents in the locations below have been asked to keep their containers at the kerbside for a follow-up visit:
- Burnham-on-Sea
- Wincanton
- Templecombe
- Frome
- Bruton
- Shepton Mallet
| Area | Service impacted | Council advice |
|---|---|---|
| Burnham-on-Sea | Recycling collections | Leave boxes, bags and bins out |
| Wincanton | Recycling collections | Crews aim to return next day |
| Templecombe | Recycling collections | Keep at kerbside for catch-up |
| Frome | Recycling collections | Do not bring containers back in |
| Bruton | Recycling collections | Await next-day recovery |
| Shepton Mallet | Recycling collections | Leave out for crews |
Why this matters for households
Vehicle reliability issues can leave crews unable to complete scheduled rounds, causing missed pick-ups and short-term knock-on effects for residents. The council’s advice to leave recycling at the kerb is intended to allow crews to catch up quickly without the need to re-book or make separate arrangements.
With “hundreds” of collections reported as missed on Monday, the emphasis is on swift recovery the following day. The council has not provided additional detail on the vehicle problems or whether any areas might require a longer delay beyond the stated next-day return for crews.
What’s still unclear
At the time of writing, there is no further update on the scale of any residual backlog beyond the six named towns, nor confirmation of whether general rubbish rounds were impacted alongside recycling. The council’s statement focused on recycling, and residents awaiting general waste pick-ups should monitor the council’s channels for clarification.
Next steps
Residents in the listed areas should keep their recycling out for the promised next-day collection. Anyone who continues to be missed after the recovery round should check Somerset Council’s waste services updates for further instructions. The council has apologised for the disruption and indicated crews are working to complete outstanding rounds as quickly as possible.
