North Somerset Council has begun replacing the defective red recycling bags issued to households since last year. Following the discovery that many bags had faded and deteriorated prematurely, work started on June 22 to swap out damaged and discoloured bags district-wide.
The red bags, intended for recycling plastics and metals, were introduced in a two-stage rollout beginning with a trial of 6,000 households in November 2024, followed by a larger distribution to all households by March 2025. While the trial bags performed well, the subsequent batches ordered from the same supplier began turning white and falling apart when exposed to sunlight—a production defect that has prompted the council to order 88,000 replacement bags.
Council leader Mike Bell acknowledged residents’ frustrations, stating, “Many residents have been understandably annoyed that their red recycling bags faded and became damaged sooner than expected. This was caused by manufacturing problems. The council has secured compensation from the supplier and is now replacing faulty bags free of charge.”
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Previously, residents could request replacement bags individually, but the council has now ceased new requests. Instead, all damaged bags will be replaced systematically by a dedicated replacement team following recycling rounds. Households who placed orders before the closure will receive their replacement bags in the upcoming weeks.
The complete replacement process is anticipated to continue area by area, concluding around spring 2027. Mr Bell added, “We appreciate this may cause inconvenience, but we are committed to fixing the issue thoroughly and efficiently.”
Despite initial positive feedback on the bags’ size and usability, the defect affected approximately 75% of issued bags district-wide. The council clarified that the replacements being delivered will not suffer from the same issues, ensuring a more durable and reliable solution for residents’ recycling needs.