South Somerset's got a brand new bag

Bright Blue Bags will be appearing on South Somerset doorsteps from Monday (14 June) with just two weeks to go until the launch of Recycle More.

The eye-catching new recycling containers are a pivotal part of the expanded service being introduced by Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) at the end of the month.

With a 60-litre capacity, they will hold some of the extra recycling collected every week and their arrival is a clear sign for residents that service is about to start.

Bright Blue Bags will be appearing on South Somerset doorsteps from Monday (14 June) with just two weeks to go until the launch of Recycle More.

The eye-catching new recycling containers are a pivotal part of the expanded service being introduced by Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) at the end of the month.

Bags will be delivered to homes across South Somerset over the next two weeks. They will be left somewhere easy to find near front doors, usually in an empty recycling container.

At the same time, stickers will be stuck on everyone’s recycling boxes making it clear what needs to go where once Recycle More starts from Monday 28 June.

The bags are already working well in Mendip where the service was launched in October and is collecting around 100 tonnes of extra recycling every week.

Key features of the bag include:

• A weighted base so they will not blow away in wind
• A Velcro-fastened lid so contents will not blow away
• Easy to fold-down and store when not in use
• Tough, durable and waterproof

The Bright Blue Bags will be used to hold:

• Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays (rinsed and squashed/nested)
• Tins and cans (rinsed and crushed if possible)
• Aerosols (empty)
• Foil (rinsed)

The rubber base of the bag is made from recycled material and the whole bag will be 100% recyclable when they reach the end of their life.

Recycle More adds extra materials to weekly collections, helps protect the environment and saves taxpayers’ money. With much more recycling, what little rubbish remains will be collected every three weeks instead of every two.

Everyone needs to check and keep hold of their “Recycle More is coming soon” leaflet which is being delivered across the district this week. It includes a collection day calendar showing clearly when their new service starts and future collection dates.

What goes into each recycling container is changing so the leaflet includes a simple colour-coded “what goes where” diagram to keep for future reference:

• Green box – glass bottles and jars, and cartons, including Tetra Pak
• Black box – paper and card
• Brown food waste bin – all food waste
• Carrier bags – small household batteries, small electrical items (crews will return bags)

SWP Managing Director Mickey Green said: “Lots of people are excited by the new service, but we’d ask them to stay patient and carry on recycling as they are now until their first collection date.”

Anyone with questions or concerns about Recycle More can find more information online somersetwaste.gov.uk/recycle-more or call South Somerset District Council on 01935 462462.

SWP is also holding its next out of hours Recycle More Facebook Q&A session on Wednesday 16 June, 7-8am. Please post your questions @somersetwaste and the team will respond.

For the latest updates on Recycle More follow Somerset Waste Partnership @somersetwaste #recyclemore on Twitter and Facebook.