Purpose

To review the business waste collection window
to improve the visual appeal, the public realm and the visitor
experience during shop opening hours and critical early evening
period.

Decision

To agree to implement the following policy changes as a
pilot from September 2025:
 
1) 
Collection Times:
Alter the evening business waste collection window to 6pm –
8.30pm to balance business needs and public realm
improvements.
 
2) 
Labelling: Make it
mandatory for all businesses within central Bath to clearly mark or
label their waste and recycling with
their company name and address.
 
3) 
Reusable Rubbish Bags
(RRBs): Enforce the use of RRBs to contain residual business waste
where businesses can promptly return them to their
premises.

Reasons for the decision

Bath & North East Somerset Council is implementing the
changes to ensure that no business waste is left on the streets
between 10am and 6pm and to enhance the city for residents and
visitors.
 
Better containment of non-recyclable waste in labelled
reusable sacks will help guard against the mess and noise that
gulls can cause within the city. Restricting the placement of
business waste and recycling sacks on pavements until early evening
will also help to reduce hazards and align the evening collections
with the City Centre security scheme.
 
This change in policy for business waste collections is
intended to improve the visual appeal of central Bath during shop
opening hours and the busy early evening period.

Alternative options considered

In addition to the recommendations proposed the following
options were discussed with Members and discounted.
 
· 
Altering the
collection time to 5.30pm - 8pm window to deliver on the overall
vision whilst mitigating its impact.
· 
Do nothing and
continue with the current policy.
 
The above options were fully considered but did not support
the overall vision to improve the visual appeal, the public realm
and the visitor experience during shop opening hours and critical
early evening period.