Disturbing footage has emerged showing North Somerset Council binmen recklessly throwing recycling boxes and bags around a driveway in Bleadon, near Weston-super-Mare. Captured by a resident shortly before 9 a.m. on Monday, September 15, the video clearly shows the workers tossing recycling items in a haphazard and disrespectful manner.
The video begins with one worker hopping out of the recycling lorry and flinging a red recycling bag onto a previously tidy driveway. His colleague follows, carelessly throwing a black plastic recycling box that lands on its side. They then proceed to collect recycling from bins and place it in the lorry. However, the second worker further disturbs the scene by throwing a new recycling box upside down, dumping another box nearby, and kicking both deeper into the driveway before the video ends.
North Somerset Council has condemned the behaviour as “unacceptable” and confirmed a formal investigation is underway. A council spokesperson stated, “This conduct does not reflect the professionalism we expect from our dedicated crews. Our service provider, North Somerset Environment Company (NSEC), is conducting a full review and will take disciplinary action as warranted.”
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The resident who captured and shared the footage on Facebook challenged the council to address the issue, prompting widespread community reaction. The video quickly amassed over 42,000 views within 24 hours, alongside hundreds of comments and reactions from local residents. Many shared their own frustrating encounters with bin collection services, including damaged bins and careless rubbish disposal.
One Portishead resident commented on experiencing repeated problems despite numerous complaints, while another recalled a binman dismissing responsibility for lifting their rubbish. Several community members emphasized that although it may seem minor, such disrespectful treatment is unacceptable given that residents pay for these services.
This incident has spotlighted concerns about the standards of recycling service delivery in North Somerset, prompting calls for greater accountability and improved professionalism among waste collection crews.