Waste collections across Somerset will start earlier from Monday, 22 June, as crews begin rounds from 6am during an extreme heat weather warning. Somerset Council said the early starts will run throughout the week and are designed to protect crews while helping to keep recycling, rubbish and garden waste collections moving.

Residents in Wells, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Street and across the county are being asked to put bins, boxes and garden waste out the night before their usual collection day. The council said this will make sure waste is ready for the earlier start and help minimise the risk of disruption.

Waste collection is hard, physical work, especially when temperatures rise sharply and crews are working long rounds in exposed conditions. Somerset's waste and recycling collection crews make more than 350,000 collections every week.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council's Lead Member for Communities, Environment and Climate Change, said: "With temperatures expected to rise sharply, we are taking sensible steps to help protect our waste and recycling crews while keeping collections running smoothly.

"We are asking residents to please put their recycling, rubbish and garden waste out the night before their collection day so they are ready for the earlier start. Thank you for helping our crews stay safe and for supporting the service during this hot spell."

Residents are encouraged to keep up to date with any collection changes through Somerset Council's Waste Services Facebook page. They can also check when their collection is due through Somerset Council's online collection day checker.

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