Residents of North Somerset faced lengthy queues in intense heat while waiting to exchange defective red recycling bags on the hottest day of the year. The red bags, introduced last year for household plastic and metal recycling, were found to be flawed - turning white and disintegrating after exposure to sunlight.
The council has since ordered 88,000 replacement bags believed to be free from the earlier “defect in production,” and is undertaking a full replacement programme for all affected bags.
An exchange event held in Weston-super-Mare on 13 August attracted far more people than anticipated, resulting in queues of up to an hour under direct sunlight. Attendees, many of whom were pensioners, had no access to shade, water or toilets during this time.
READ MORE: Fire Service Confirms Bowling Club Blaze in Weston-super-Mare Was Accidental
READ MORE: Landowner Threatens to Close Popular Wild Swimming Site Over Fire Risks
Local children’s entertainer Abe Bowen, who attended the event, criticised the lack of preparation. He noted that the council’s own event protocols, including risk assessments, emergency action plans, site layouts, and provision of Portaloos and water, were not followed for this occasion.
Mr Bowen remarked, “It was surprising how such a straightforward exchange took so long with minimal staffing on site - initially just two council staff managing the distribution and address recording.”
In response, a North Somerset Council spokesperson acknowledged the event’s popularity exceeded expectations and apologised to those who endured the waiting times in the heat. They confirmed a comprehensive programme to replace all damaged red bags across the district will begin again in September, aiming to complete by spring 2027.
The council stated that during the swap event, a gazebo provided some shade for staff and residents, and additional personnel were brought in to manage queues. Parking services also assisted to ensure the queue’s safety in the car park. In total, 422 bags were exchanged over two hours.
While feedback was largely positive, the council committed to improving the organisation of forthcoming exchange events scheduled later this month:
- Scotch Horn, Nailsea: 10am to 12pm, 18 August
- The Campus, Weston-super-Mare: 10am to 12pm, 20 August
- Lake Grounds, Portishead: 2pm to 4pm, 24 August
Residents are not required to attend these events to receive new bags, as a separate vehicle follows recycling rounds to replace damaged bags directly. This service will resume in September after pausing for the summer.
The red recycling bags were initially trialled with 6,000 households in November 2024 and received positive feedback, despite some concerns about bag size. Smaller bags were later ordered for a full rollout across North Somerset from March 2025, supplied by the same reputable company.
Notably, the trial bags showed no defects, whereas those delivered for the wider rollout began to deteriorate within months. In December 2025, the council announced it had secured a refund for the faulty bags following extended negotiations.