Residents across Purbeck in Dorset are being given advance notice that their waste and recycling collection days are likely to change from the end of September 2026.
Dorset Council says it is going to send a letter to around 19,000 households across Purbeck and Upton to inform them of the upcoming change.
Residents will have to remember to put their bins out on a different day
Look out for the letter
The exact changes to the days haven’t been announced yet – this is just an early warning to look out for the letter.
Dorset Council says the collection routes need updating due to new housing and the aim is to improve efficiency and reliability of its waste collection services.
It says it has tested the new routes to reflect real conditions, including road layout, access issues and the time each street typically takes to service. Similar changes were introduced in Weymouth earlier in 2026.
The new routes will start from Monday 28th September and will affect most households served by Dorset Council’s Wareham waste depot, including homes in:
- Swanage
- Corfe Castle
- Wareham
- Wool
- Bovington
- Lytchett Matravers
- Upton
- Bere Regis
- The surrounding Purbeck villages
Dorset Council alternates the collection of rubbish with recycling, but pick up the food waste bin every week
“Help us improve the efficiency and reliability”
Councillor Jack Jeanes, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for place services, said:
“We know that changing collection days can take a little getting used to, which is why we’re writing directly to residents affected by these changes.
“The most important thing for people to remember is that if your collection day is changing, you’ll receive a letter with all the information you need. If you don’t receive a letter, your collection arrangements will stay the same.
“These updates help us improve the efficiency and reliability of our waste collection service, making sure routes continue to work effectively as communities grow and change.”
Dorset Council is stressing that residents do not need to do anything now other than look out for a letter arriving on their doorstep during September.
Residents who can’t put their bins out, can get help
Request help
Anyone who can’t move their bins to the kerbside can request help from Dorset Council by filling in an online form.
This can be on a temporary basis if someone has a short term need for help like a medical issue from which they will recover, or the person who usually helps will be away for a long period. Residents will be asked questions to check eligibility, and told the outcome immediately.
While the assisted collection service is free to approved residents, the council does ask people to first check whether they can get help from a neighbour, friend or family member, as this service does cost the council extra money.
Further information
- More about Dorset Council’s waste and recycling collections
- Request help with moving your bins
