Missed bin collections drop to less than 0.04 per cent

Overall, the number of missed bin collections has reduced over the last three years, despite the number of bins presented for collection increasing. The number of bins presented for collection has increased from 3,040,000 in 2023 to 3,360,000 in 2025. However the number of reports of missed bins has reduced from 2,247 to 1,378 over the same period, with 6 weeks of the 2025 reporting year to go.
 
Speaking to councillors, Cllr Alison Livesey, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for Operations and Traded Services, explained that some rounds had been rescheduled in the previous fortnight and said: “I understand that this increases the perception of missed collections, but overall these account for less than 0.04 per cent of the more than 250,000 bins our crews empty every month.”
 
Explaining the reason for the rescheduled rounds, Cllr Livesey apologised to residents and said the service had faced an unexpected shortage of drivers due to a combination of sickness, annual leave, and vacancies. Despite every effort, agencies were unable to supply enough substitute drivers to maintain all rounds, which had meant that some had to be rescheduled. 
 
The council is currently recruiting to vacant refuse crew driver posts, with interviews taking place this week (w/c 17 November 2025).
 
Concluding her response, Cllr Livesey said: “On behalf of the council, I wish to reassure all councillors that we have implemented measures to minimise the risk of future disruption.
 
“While no service of this scale can ever be entirely immune to operational pressures, our focus remains firmly on providing a long-term reliable, efficient, and responsive waste collection service for all residents.”
 
Residents can check their bin day and receive free notifications of any changes using the Rugby Borough Council app, which can be downloaded from rugby.gov.uk/app.