Local authorities in Gloucestershire and Somerset have introduced earlier waste collection times as temperatures continue to rise across parts of the UK.
Cheltenham Borough Council and Somerset Council both announced that refuse and recycling collections would begin from 6am during the current period of hot weather, with residents advised to put bins out the night before to avoid missed collections.
The temporary changes follow heat-health warnings and are intended to protect collection crews working in challenging conditions while ensuring services continue as normal.
In Cheltenham, the revised collection times were introduced from 22 June and are expected to remain in place throughout the week. Somerset Council implemented similar arrangements across its waste collection service, citing the need to safeguard frontline staff during periods of extreme heat.
Cllr Steve Harvey, cabinet member for waste, recycling and green open spaces at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: ‘As a result of the hot weather our waste and recycling collections will start earlier than usual in the mornings.
‘This is to help our crews and vehicles cope in the heat and ensure that they’re able to complete the scheduled collections. Residents are asked to put their recycling boxes, food caddies, refuse and garden bins out for collection at kerbside by 6am.’
‘Our crews will do their very best to be as quiet as possible whilst out collecting earlier in the morning,’ he added.
