An event organised to replace defective recycling bags in North Somerset has been cancelled due to safety concerns.
Last year, North Somerset Council introduced red bags for household plastic and metal recycling. However, a production defect caused the bags to discolour and disintegrate when exposed to sunlight. To address this, the council hosted two “drop and swap” events allowing residents to exchange damaged bags for new ones. These events, however, attracted many more attendees than anticipated.
A third event scheduled for 20 August at The Campus in Weston-super-Mare has now been cancelled. The council’s recycling team explained on Facebook that the venue could not safely accommodate the large crowds observed at previous events.
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At the first event held in Weston-super-Mare, around 400 red bags were replaced, with some attendees enduring queues exceeding an hour on the hottest day of the year. The subsequent Nailsea event saw even greater turnout, with 800 bags distributed before supplies ran out, resulting in some residents being turned away.
The council acknowledged the queues and thanked residents for their patience, offering apologies to those who missed out in Nailsea.
Importantly, residents do not need to wait for these events to obtain replacements. New red bags are being distributed to all households by a dedicated vehicle following the regular recycling collection rounds, with the council expecting to complete distribution district-wide by spring.
These events were primarily intended for those whose red bags were unusable and who could not wait for home delivery. Nevertheless, many residents with slightly discoloured but still intact bags also attended, contributing to the unexpectedly high numbers.
Weston-super-Mare-based children’s entertainer Abe Bowen, who attended the first event, described the experience: “It was surprising how long it took just to exchange a bag. We queued for over an hour in full sun without shade, water, or toilets, and many in the queue were elderly.” The event took place on 13 August, the hottest day recorded that year.
Initially, the council trialled 6,000 red bags in November 2024, which were generally well received despite some complaints about the bag size. Subsequent orders, including smaller bags rolled out from March 2025, were supplied by the same reputable firm.
While the original trial bags had no issues, the bags from the full rollout began deteriorating within months. Following extensive negotiations, the council secured a refund for the defective stock in December 2025. It is estimated that 75% of the bags in circulation require replacement, and the council has received 88,000 new bags believed to be free from defects.
As for a fourth bag swap event planned for the Lake Grounds in Portishead on Monday afternoon, the council has yet to confirm if it will proceed, stating: “We want to learn from previous events and will move forward only if safety can be ensured.”
Residents are encouraged to continue recycling using their existing boxes and other containers, such as carrier bags or boxes no larger than a standard recycling box, while they await their replacement red bags.