No capacity to fix ‘extremely smelly’ nappy problem says council
By Andy Mitchell - Local Democracy Reporter 31st Jul 2026
A call to help families with the foul mix of used nappies and extreme heat cannot be acted on due to a lack of council capacity.
Cllr Jan Matecki this week questioned whether Warwick District Council should temporarily switch from collecting household rubbish every three weeks to fortnightly during prolonged spells of hot weather.
The idea was called "sensible" by leader Cllr Ian Davison but he said that the cost and logistics involved made it a non-starter.
A waste partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council saw the district shift from fortnightly to three-weekly collections of non-recyclable waste from August 2022.
Recyclables are still gathered every two weeks and food waste every week but the soaring temperatures in recent months have delivered a not-so-fresh problem.
Cllr Matecki said: "I was asked at a parish council meeting – and it was a very good suggestion – about the general waste collection which is currently three-weekly.
"Concerns were expressed that families with younger children may (use) a lot of nappies, it is not very hygienic in this extreme heat.
"Can the council look at maybe increasing the frequency of general waste collection as a result of this heat and the health implications that might come (from that)?"
Cllr Davison replied: "To me it is a good, sensible question but there is no capacity in the waste rounds to accommodate that.
"If we go from three-weekly to two-weekly we would need an additional vehicle and crew, which is a lot of expense.
"Can you hire people for that? You then have a vehicle idle for a long time. It is logistically difficult to plan ahead because heatwaves may or may not be able to be predicted.
"Unfortunately, I don't see how it can be done but I certainly accept, particularly with things like nappies, it is extremely smelly."
Extra bags of rubbish left next to grey bins are not collected, although properties that cannot have bins due to access or storage restrictions do have their bags collected or larger communal bins emptied every two weeks.
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