Updated Southampton City Council has responded to concerns over recent bin collection delays. Meanwhile following missed glass collections some local bottle banks appear to need emptying.

 

It said that it is facing a number of “operational challenges”, including a shortage of HGV drivers, limited availability of agency staff, and an ageing fleet of waste collection vehicles - similar to many other councils.

“These issues have placed considerable pressure on our teams, particularly during the busy summer period,” said the council in a statement.

It added that new drivers are being recruited and older vehicles replaced to tackle ongoing bin collection issues.

General waste and recycling remain the priority, said the council, though glass and garden waste services may face delays.

“We would like to thank our collection crews and transport teams, who are working exceptionally hard to deliver services under difficult circumstances. We’re committed to restoring full service as soon as possible,” the council said.

Update 6/8/25: Two bottle banks in Bitterne Park were both full, or virtually full, on Wednesday (Aug 6) following missed glass collections in the area on Monday. The bank near Bitterne Station appeared full to capacity, with some glass left on the tarmac in front of the receptacles, and the bank at Woodmill car park also looked ready to be emptied - although there was some capacity from the rear of the bottle banks.

We were also told that the Hedge End waste and recycling centre, used by some on the east of the city, hasn't had a bottle bank for seven years.

 Woodmill bottle bank: almost full on Wednesday

 The bottle bank by Bitterne station on Wednesday was full