Bristol bin collection issues continue after routes changed

South Gloucestershire residents already recycle 60% of their waste - the second highest rate in the country among unitary authorities

Bins have still been going uncollected five months after a waste company changed its routes, it has emerged.

Bristol Waste, owned by Bristol City Council, rolled out new routes last November, but some parts of the city are still often being missed.

One councillor said it was "probably the most complained about service" at the moment.

Mayor Marvin Rees said Bristol Waste had been asked to provide "firm plans and options on how this can be solved".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, during a forum meeting, Mr Rees was also warned Bristol Waste appeared to have "systemic issues", as the new routes are still missing many residents almost half a year since they began.

Thursdays appear to be a particular problem, with residents reportedly resorting to putting their uncollected recycling into black bins instead.

"We're not particularly happy, because people aren't happy and we're also recipients of the service ourselves," said the mayor.

He added: "Our sense at the moment is that it's just a logistical challenge that they're facing."

'Teething issues'

Conservative councillor John Goulandris, representing Stoke Bishop, said: "Bristol Waste is probably the most complained-about service I get at the moment, and it's only been over the last five or six months since November, when they did the rerouting."

He added that the interim managing director of Bristol Waste, Dave Knight, had previously promised him that the issues would have been resolved by the middle of February.

Labour councillor Marley Bennett, cabinet member for waste, climate and ecology, added: "There's definitely ongoing problems.

"We're working very hard with Bristol Waste to try and find solutions. There were always going to be some teething issues after the rerouting."

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