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HUNDREDS of households across Somerset where recycling collections were missed this week will have to wait for the next scheduled collection.
Somerset Waste Partnership is struggling to cover normal routes due to a “nationwide driver shortage and other pressures”.
A spokesperson said: “Recycling, garbage and garden waste collections have all suffered in recent days due to the shortage of truck drivers and staff from local agencies, combined with persistent charges. heavy and traffic congestion hot spots.
“Garbage and paid garden waste collection has been prioritized and huge efforts have been made to eliminate the recycling backlog, including Saturday collections.
“Tuesday’s recycling collections at Sedgemoor have been rescheduled for this Saturday to free up teams to tackle the issues.”
But many recycling collections are still pending from Monday and Tuesday of this week and at the end of last week.
They will now only be collected on the next scheduled day.
The spokesperson added: “Delayed collections from affected residents will then be picked up first on that day, including additional materials carefully sorted into bags or boxes with official containers.
“Garbage and garden waste are not affected, with collections returning the next day or soon after.”
Teams tackling a backlog in yard waste collection hope they can catch up by the end of Saturday.
The SWP spokesperson said: “Somerset Waste Partnership sincerely apologizes for the disruption, caused by enormous pressure on its waste collection contractor SUEZ.
“These pressures are mainly due to a national shortage of heavy truck drivers, a situation made worse by Covid (which has resulted in a backlog of heavy truck driving tests) and Brexit, which has seen some drivers return to the countries of the EU.
“Locally, there is also a more general shortage of agency staff, as well as holiday traffic and heavy traffic jams and loads that are always heavier than normal.
“To address staff shortages, recruitment is underway for permanent full-time drivers / loaders and loaders in Bridgwater, Evercreech, Taunton, Williton and Yeovil.”
* At Sedgemoor only, recycling collections on Tuesday (June 8) will take place this Saturday (June 12), while all missed recycling collections at Sedgemoor through Monday June 7 inclusive will take place the following week day.
* Everywhere except Sedgemoor, all recycling collections missed up to and including Tuesday 8 June will take place the following week.
If you have been affected, our apologies; please sort the extra recycling carefully into bags or boxes next to your official containers.
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