SOMERSET NEWS: Recycling collections could be delayed by Amazon avalanche

PEOPLE are being told that they must avoid putting out too much cardboard for recycling over the Christmas period – as it could put waste collections in jeopardy.

The Somerset Waste Partnership, which is responsible for refuse and recycling collections in the county, is warning that the fast rising tide of shopping deliveries threaten thousands with missed waste pick-ups.

Residents are being urged to avoid ruining their neighbours’ Christmas by disrupting waste collections with too much cardboard from an “Amazon avalanche” of online buys.

Somerset Waste Partnership is warning that crews are being forced to abandon rounds to spend hours going back to their depot to unload card when the rest of the truck is almost empty.

Official advice is that no more than the equivalent of two recycling boxes can be put out for a single weekly collection.

A SWP spokesman said: “With existing vehicles – likely to be replaced in 2017 - crews cannot collect very big pieces or large loads of cardboard, so if you put them out, they will be left.

“Flatten all boxes, tear or cut up large sheets, and either store any excess materials to add some each week or take the card and everything else except food waste to a recycling site.

“Apart from missed collections, large cardboard boxes are a great invitation for thieves to give themselves a Christmas present at your expense.”

Kerbside recycling and rubbish collections could also be hit by severe weather this year. If a collection is missed, crews will make a return pick-up as soon as possible.

Missed containers should be put out by 7am for up to four calendar days for recycling, and up to seven calendar days for rubbish.

If still no collection, take containers back in and put them out by 7am on the next usual collection day. And please assist vulnerable neighbours.

All collections in the post-Christmas fortnight are one day later, including Friday pick-ups on Saturdays, and garden waste services are suspended.

All services return to usual from Monday, January 9, 2016. Apart from closing as usual on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, recycling sites will all be on their standard schedules.

For more seasonal waste advice, from Christmas trees to festive leftovers, visit: www.somersetwaste.gov.uk.

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