Somerset waste bosses have pledged to make it easier for residents to recycle mattresses, window frames and other difficult items.

The Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) publishes a rolling five-year business plan, which lays out the various improvements it wishes to make to the services it offers, including the items which are accepted at the county's 16 household waste recycling centres.

A number of "hard to treat" items currently cannot be accepted at any of these sites – including used mattresses, hard plastics and UPVC window frames.

The SWP has promised that it will look into changing this as a priority – and will attempt to upgrade its recycling centres if such items can be accepted.

The draft business plan for 2023-28, which includes this commitment, was published ahead of a virtual meeting of the SWP joint scrutiny panel on Wednesday afternoon (December 7).

SWP managing director Mickey Green said: "We are exploring whether we can accept further 'hard to treat' materials at our recycling centres, including mattresses, hard plastics, UPVC window frames.

"If funding allows, we will seek to improve our recycling centres, with Minehead and Frome being particular priorities."

The SWP is currently awaiting the outcome of numerous central government consultations, including on charges which can be levied at recycling centres for DIY waste.

A number of items already incur fees or charges for disposal – which are due to rise sharply from April 1, 2023 in light of high inflation, despite fears that this will lead to a rise in fly-tipping.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a consultation in April on proposed changes which would see charges for plasterboards, bricks and bath units scrapped.

Mr Green said: "The government expects to publish its formal response to the consultation on consistency in collections before the end of the calendar year, and we also expect a final position form them on charging for DIY waste at recycling centres. These will have significant impacts on our services."