I live in Lambeth rather than Wandsworth but have never had an issue. I just send an email to the address on the bags, get a personal response the same day confirming when the bags will be delivered to my doorstep and, sure enough, they arrive when expected, generally about 4 days after I email.

Completely agree - and finding the place to collect them in the Town Hall is not easy either now they're doing huge renovation works.

That said they were very friendly and although they only gave me my requisite two rolls (which they agreed was a paltry offering) they did say I could come and get more as and when I needed, or alternatively contact the council directly (not while in the Town Hall, interestingly) and ask for more.

Coincidentally the following day I was walking through Balham and passed a bin lorry - the guys were delivering recycling bags to the local houses. I asked if he had any spare and he gave me 6 more rolls. I would have taken more but didn't want to carry them home... he said that there were more pallets of orange sacks than they knew what to do with back at their depot. So my advice is - ask your local friendly binman!

I'm in Oval, moving to Clapahm in two weeks, I have tons (and I recyle all the time). I'm wondering if I should take some with me.

But I'm happy to share a few (Ireally have a lot) if anyone wants to come by they can have a roll.

I'm also selling lots of great stuff for kids and expectant mommies. (Had to throw the plug in, but if you just want a roll of bags, you can just come for that).

I was furious when I found out they weren't providing them at libraries any more, as I agree that 3 rolls per year is just not sufficient - particularly if you are trying to encourage recycling. However, as the previous posters have said, the council is actually really good if you request more. Just email or leave a message and they provide another 3 rolls a few days later.

I agree...the council delivers the bags incase you need them if you leave a voice message or email.

I think they do a great job even if the quality of the bags is really bad !

There's a sign in the Battersea Park library explaining why libraries will stop giving out the orange bags - apparently they have found a number of examples of mis-use for example a laundry in balham using them to bag washing!

Apparently you now need to request any beyond three annual rolls direct from council - who will deliver as many as you ask for.

I agree the quality has declined but I'm still grateful at least we don't have to sort our recycling in to different containers for fortnightly pick up etc

Whenever we run out, I just leave a message on the town hall answering machine leaving my address and the next week, or before, I am left an extra roll. Have never had a problem. Simples.

To be fair to the council, their website does say
"If you are unable to collect sacks, email wasteservices@wandsworth.gov.uk or call 020 8871 7497 to request an extra delivery."

I don't know if this is only for those with mobility problems or extends to those of us just too busy to waste half a day getting there and back.

That's diabolical. I always thought how handy it was that I could pop not the library for more supplies. There's no way I'd hike over to the town hall, so would sto recycling when the bags run out.

A cutback too far.

I know this is an old thread but just wanted to update the situation. I was told in Balham library the other day that they are no longer providing orange recycling sacks. If you run out of them they can only be picked up from the town hall!

I can't believe that Wandsworth council are only giving each household 3 rolls of sacks per year and then expecting them to flog down to the town hall to get more.

I have emailed them today and will continue badgering until I get an answer, but I think this policy truly sucks.

Presumably it is just a moneysaver?

We (oddly) end up with more bags than we need. We're enthusiastic recyclers...I think we just don't have that much stuff to recycle. I take the extras to the library and am always given a big thank-you. While I hardly want to discourage recycling, maybe there are others out there who might do the same with their extras?

Grrrrrrrrr
Completely agree. Have already phoned (left messages as it appears no one answers this phone) & emailed twice. I also pointed out that the council came 26th out of 27 london councils for recycling so they should be aiming to improve this not actually come last.
I ran out of bags in April & it seems impossible to get hold of any. Why should we be forced to traipse around the libraries (which never have any anyway & who actually said to me: Best to phone the number & ask as that's what the council want everyone to do - they are phasing them out of collecting from libraries!!!!!!!) or to go to Wandsworth Town Hall to pick some up - which is not practical / doable for a lot of people. Is this the result of having the lowest council tax I wonder? I feel very strongly about recycling, but once it comes to the point of taking over any spare time I have (ha ha) then I may [i]sack[/i] it in!
I don't know why this has annoyed me so much!
If anyone has an abundance if these, please can I have some?!!!!

Done!

Not sure if anyone else has noticed but there is a clearly a huge shortage of Orange Bags - we now only receive 3 rolls a year and if you go to the library to get an extra roll, they are always gone! In addition, the quality is now SO poor that if you more than half fill, they split or you can't tie them.

I have emailed Wandsworth to complain about the poor quality and quantity of the orange bags.

If you have the time and inclination to do the same (!), I would be so grateful if you could have a moan - then hopefully we will get the old bags back and more of them.

Many thanks :)

wasteservices@wandsworth.gov.uk