North Somerset Council has announced a new initiative where staff at local recycling centres will begin opening and inspecting rubbish bags to prevent recyclable materials from being discarded as general waste. This “bag sorting” policy is part of a wider effort to improve waste management across the region and will be rolled out at centres in Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, and Backwell before the end of the year.
The council aims to significantly reduce the volume of recyclable items that end up in non-recyclable waste bins. To achieve this, designated bag sorting areas will be established at these sites, granting staff the authority to sift through rubbish brought in by residents. Beyond enforcement, the council views this practice as an educational opportunity, helping people better understand what materials can and should be recycled.
This move builds on recent changes to waste services, including the introduction of a booking system at the Weston-super-Mare recycling centre in February. The new system was designed to ease congestion, cut carbon emissions, and speed up visits for users. By March, it was extended to the Portishead and Backwell centres.
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Responding to community feedback, North Somerset Council has added 40 extra booking slots per day at Weston-super-Mare. The council also plans to strictly enforce the booking requirement after a transitional phase to enhance safety and fairness across all sites.
Councillor Annemieke Waite, cabinet member for planning and environment, expressed satisfaction with the progress, saying: “The booking system is working well, and residents have told us their visits are now quicker, easier, and less stressful. We are committed to listening to feedback and making continuous improvements, such as increasing booking availability. This system helps us manage our sites more effectively, and we’ll keep refining it to ensure a positive experience for everyone.”