POWYS County Council’s waste and recycling service is continuing to improve following the introduction of new collection routes earlier this year, with missed collections reducing and service performance becoming more stable across the county.
A report being presented to the scrutiny and governance and audit committees next week (July 15) outlines the reasons for the route optimisation programme, the challenges experienced during implementation and the actions taken to improve service delivery.
The route changes were introduced in March 2026 as part of wider work to modernise the service and create a more efficient and resilient operation capable of meeting growing demand across Powys, where more than 71,000 properties receive waste and recycling collections.
The report acknowledges that some residents experienced disruption as the new routes were introduced, including missed collections and delays. Challenges around vehicle availability, staffing pressures and bank holiday periods contributed to these issues in some areas. Approximately five per cent of households were affected during the bedding-in period.
Since then, a recovery plan including additional vehicles, strengthened management support and improved communications has helped bring the service back on track. The rate of reported missed collections has continued to improve, falling from 0.47% in March to 0.24% by the end of June and returning to the levels typically seen before the route changes were introduced. Reported missed collections also reduced from 3,494 in March to 1,759 in June.
Councillor Richard Church, Cabinet Member for Legal and Regulatory Services, said: “We know the introduction of the new routes meant that collections were missed for many residents as the changes were introduced and we want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while the service adapted to these significant changes.
“Our crews, supervisors and support teams have worked incredibly hard to improve performance and we are now seeing those efforts making a real difference. Missed collections are reducing, recovery times are improving and the service is becoming more reliable.
“There is still work to do, the improvements being made will help us build a more resilient and sustainable service for the future as part of our ambition for a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Powys.
“I look forward to the Governance and Audit Committee and the ERC Scrutiny committee’s consideration of the report and their comments to further strengthen the service going forward.”
The council will continue to refine routes where necessary, invest in digital technology to improve communication with residents and strengthen operational resilience as part of the wider Highways, Transport and Recycling transformation programme. An independent review by WRAP Cymru has also provided assurance that the route optimisation methodology is sound while identifying lessons that will help shape future improvements.
Cllr Church added: “I would also like to thank residents for the kindness, patience and support they showed our crews during the hot weather.
“Starting collections earlier in the day helped us protect staff from the extreme temperatures, and the understanding shown by communities across Powys made a real difference. It’s greatly appreciated by everyone involved in delivering the service.”
