Frustration has been expressed by residents in Swindon over delays in receiving replacement recycling bags.

Over the past month, some local people have posted on social media sharing their concerns about being left with no means to recycle plastic and metal waste by Swindon Borough Council. 

The council says supply issues are behind a backlog and warned its replacement service will not return to normal "for a couple of months".

When blue recycling sacks were introduced by the council last August, people in Swindon complained they are not big enough for an average household, they blow away in the wind or seem to be disappear.

Howard said: “I have requested an additional one through their website three times and I still haven’t received one. After one week I am literally jumping inside the bag having a one-man sack race trying to fit everything in.”

Meanwhile Agnes said: “I have waited four months for my blue bag delivery only to receive an email saying they could not deliver as I wasn’t in.”

Paul contacted the Adver, saying: “In December last year I contacted the council to order a replacement recycling blue bag as mine had been damaged and blew away. Fast forward six months and still no replacement.

“This is simply unacceptable as I'm sure I'm not the only person with this concern and surely when they initially rolled out the bags, provisions were in place for replacements. Their suggestion on the phone was leave it in another container, which I have tried on four previous occasions and the bin men will not take it, as it’s not in the correct bag.

“At this point I was put on hold before they came back and said something I found truly disappointing – ‘just put your recycling in your general waste.’”

A council spokesperson said: “Our third-party supplier of blue reusable recycling bags is currently experiencing a delay in obtaining new stock due to the disruption affecting global shipping.

 “We do have a limited number of bags which we are delivering, but until new stock arrives some customers may have to wait longer than normal to receive their recycling bags. We expect our supply lines to be back to normal in a couple of months.

“In the meantime, residents who are recycling more, or those who need replacement bags, are asked to use added additional sturdy containers to present their recycling. These should be of a size similar to the standard boxes for paper, glass, metal and plastic recycling.”