An Update on the South Hams Waste and Recycling Service

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From South Hams District Council

Since announcing that the South Hams’ waste and recycling service would be coming back in-house to be run by the Council again from 3 October, we’re now in a position to provide you with an update on what we’ve been doing.

What We’ve Been Doing

Our officers have been working extremely hard to make sure that the transition from FCC Environment to an in-house service is a smooth one. It’s essential that the service is compliant, legal and safe from day one. To make that happen, there’s a huge amount to get ready in time; everything from obtaining the environmental permits to engaging with staff to ensure they know what to expect when joining the Council. Our team are doing everything they possibly can to make sure that the service runs as smoothly as possible.

What to Expect on Day One

Initially, the service will run as it is now, and the Council will inherit the same challenges that have faced FCC Environment. In the short term, there will be no noticeable changes to the service, only that South Hams District Council will be operating the service.

In parallel with the work to make sure the service is working safely from day one, officers are also undertaking work to improve the service.

How you can help us

We understand that the challenges with our waste service began when the new rounds were introduced.

We’re looking at all of the service data that FCC have provided, but understand that residents, Councillors, Towns and Parishes will be pivotal in helping us to improve the service; many residents have already dutifully reported to us when they have had missed collections and we are asking them to continue doing so on our website here.

However, if you as a town or parish council are aware of specific waste and recycling collection problems in your area ahead of the service coming in-house, we’d appreciate hearing from you.

  • Are there particular streets, estates or areas that have had recurring problems with collections?
  • Do you know of residents who have assisted collections and have had problems?
  • Are there other issues affecting the service?

Please let us know by dropping us an email to wastefeedback@swdevon.gov.uk