An additional 25,000 households, including those in Draycott, will soon be able to recycle flexible plastics at the kerbside as part of an extended trial in Somerset.

Flexible plastics – such as bread bags, cheese wrappers, and salad bags – are some of the hardest items to recycle, despite making up a significant portion of household waste.

Somerset began a small-scale trial in May 2023 in the north and north-eastern parts of Frome, involving 3,600 households. The scheme has been praised for its success, with Somerset Council's climate and place scrutiny committee reporting "impressive results" in January.

Building on this success, the trial is now being expanded to include Draycott, as well as Chilcompton, Frome, and Wells. Residents participating in the trial will receive blue collection bags and information on what can be recycled.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said: "Somerset residents have once again shown their enthusiasm to keep our county green and more sustainable. The success of phase one means that we can collect and recycle plastic bags and wrapping from thousands more people."

The Frome trial has already collected 27 tonnes of soft plastics, equivalent to about 95,000 collection bags, over the past year. The expanded trial will allow the recycling of materials such as carrier bags, cling film, crisp packets, and food wrappers – items that are currently only recyclable at supermarket collection points.

The collected plastics will be picked up as part of regular weekly recycling, with residents in the trial using the provided plastic sacks.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has stated that it aims for all local authorities to offer flexible plastics recycling at the kerbside by March 2027.

Households in Draycott should expect their collection bags soon. If no information is received, the household is not part of the trial at this time.