North Somerset Council has successfully obtained a full refund from a supplier after thousands of newly introduced recycling bags began deteriorating soon after distribution. The council had rolled out new red bags to every household to encourage recycling of plastics and metals, but many residents quickly noticed the bags were fading to white and literally falling apart.
The council launched a trial in November 2024, providing red bags to 6,000 households in select areas. These original bags were well-received and remained intact without fading. Encouraged by the trial’s positive response, the council placed a second order for slightly smaller bags intended for a full rollout across North Somerset, starting at the end of March 2025. Both orders were placed with the same reputable company.
However, the bags from the full rollout batch began rapidly deteriorating when exposed to sunlight. Council cabinet member for waste, Annemieke Waite (Green, Winford), addressed the issue in an online Q&A, stating, “We have now reached a very good agreement with the company, and they are refunding us for all the faulty bags.” Waite emphasized that the company accepted full responsibility for the defective product.
At a November council meeting, Waite explained the bags were “falling apart at the seams,” leading to “extensive discussions with the supplier.” She highlighted that the original bags from the trial had shown no such problems, concluding that the issue stemmed solely from the quality of the second batch.
Residents with damaged red bags can request replacements via the North Somerset Council website. However, the council warns that replacements come from the same batch and may also fade or break if exposed to sunlight. Bags that are only faded or slightly damaged can still be used, and it is advised to keep them out of direct sunlight when possible. Completely unusable bags should be disposed of in the black bin for collection every three weeks.