Recent delays to waste and recycling collections across the Isle of Wight have been caused by vehicle breakdowns, the Isle of Wight Council has confirmed.
Over recent weeks, Island Echo has received multiple reports from residents claiming bins have not been emptied on their scheduled day, with some saying collections have been delayed by several days or, in some cases, an entire week.
Now, the Council has acknowledged the issue, stating it is aware of ‘some recent instances’ where scheduled collections have been delayed due to vehicle breakdowns.
The authority stresses that no collection rounds have been abandoned and says arrangements have been made for affected rounds to be completed later the same day or on the following day, but anecdotal evidence suggests this simply hasn’t been happening.
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council has said:
“We recognise that any disruption to waste collection services can be frustrating for residents and apologise for the inconvenience caused.
“Residents who believe their collection has been missed are encouraged to report it online via the Isle of Wight Council website so that it can be investigated and resolved as quickly as possible.”
The disruption follows earlier problems surrounding the rollout of the new waste contract. As previously reported by Island Echo, collection calendars for the 2026/27 year were delivered weeks later than expected, prompting an apology from the Isle of Wight Council.
The issues come just months after Veolia took over the Isle of Wight’s household waste and recycling service from Thalia Waste Management. At the time, residents were assured there would be no disruption to collections as the new contract came into force.
The council says it continues to work closely with Veolia to monitor service performance and ensure the requirements of the new waste contract are being met.
The spokesperson added:
“We remain committed to delivering a reliable waste and recycling service for residents across the Island and will continue to work with our service provider to minimise disruption wherever possible.”
