Autumn and winter opening times have begun at recycling sites

Recycling Sites are now open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and from 9am to 4pm at weekends.Midweek, opening days vary between sites however all sites are open on Saturdays and Sundays.The autumn and winter timetable applies until 31 March 2027.

A Halloween without the horror of waste

When you are choosing a pumpkin, a smaller pumpkin is easier to carry, carve, cook and store, and you are much more likely to use it all.

The biggest pumpkin in the pile may look impressive, but it can leave you with more food than your household can finish. This Halloween, make one small change: choose a pumpkin that matches your plans and your appetite.

Having a clear-out? Choose a registered waste carrier

Having a clear-out or getting work done at home? If you pay someone to take away rubbish, old furniture, appliances or building waste, you have a legal duty of care to check that they are authorised to carry it. This applies whether you find them online, through social media or by recommendation.

If your waste is later fly-tipped and traced back to you, you could face enforcement action if you cannot show that you took reasonable steps to use an authorised person. A cheap quote is not worth the risk.

Before handing over your waste:

• Ask for the person or business name and waste carrier registration number.
• Check the details on the Environment Agency’s public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers. For a business collecting other people’s waste, look for a current upper-tier registration.
• Make sure the name and address on the register match the person or business you are using. Do not rely on a photograph of a certificate alone.
• Ask where your waste will be taken and request a Waste Transfer Note that shows what was collected, the date and the carrier’s details.
• Keep the receipt, registration details and any messages or adverts.

Be cautious if someone will not provide their registration details, cannot explain where the waste is going, offers an unusually low cash-only price or asks to collect waste without giving a receipt.

If you see dumped waste, do not touch it or confront anyone. Note the location and any useful details, then report it through Somerset Council’s ‘Report fly-tipping‘ service.

You can help to avoid a battery fire

Battery fires are on the rise, and they can be so easy to avoid. Since January 2026, there have been eight fires at Somerset waste facilities or on collection vehicles, with four caused by incorrectly disposed batteries and vapes. These items can be damaged during collection and processing, causing them to overheat and ignite.Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in everyday items such as mobile phones, laptops, power tools, toys and e-bikes.Never place loose batteries or electrical items, including those containing batteries in general waste bins.Use designated battery and vape recycling points, often available in supermarkets, or place them in a small, clear tied bag and leave on top of recycling boxes for kerbside collection.Take unwanted electrical items to local recycling centres.Small electrical items (excluding monitors, TVs or microwaves) can be collected from the kerbside, they should be left in carrier bags for collection.Residents can use the online lookup at recycleyourelectricals.org.uk for your nearest battery and electrical drop-off points.For more information on safely recycling lithium-ion batteries and electrical items, visit our Waste pages.

Reasons to recycle

We all get recycling, but do you know why it’s worth it? Every item rescued from the rubbish bin helps save valuable materials and supports our efforts to reduce waste. Take a second look before you throw something in the bin – it might be ready for a new life instead.Why recycle? Recycling a plastic bottle uses just 12% of the energy needed to make it from scratch.Recycling stops greenhouse gases like methane going into the atmosphere.Recycling helps keep valuable materials in circulation.