UK only. Can anyone suggest anything to get the local council to collect our recycling on the correct day?

Start taking names of people you talk to, what time you phoned them and what was said, or promised. Each time you need to contact them, use peoples names, state what was told to you, why and how and try to let the people you talk to, know that you are paying attention to their every word. It will make them feel uncomfortable and they will know that if they pass the buck, or tell lies, that you will name them to the person you get passed on to. That way, you may not know it, but you might also cause some in house squabbling at their end, and nobody likes that. Worth a try cos you wont be saying 'the girl told me when i last phoned', you will be saying 'Alison told me you would deal with it, on the 5th October when i last phoned. So if you don't agree then ask her!'. If it doesn't do the trick straight away at least people will sit up make sure they don't drop themselves in it when they answer the phone to you.

I know what you mean about councils,

I rang mine last year to tell them that i do not use plastic bags, as my supermarket dont give them free so mine are made of cloth.

I found 1 carrier bag which had blown into my garden so i put my papers , tins and bottles in it.

The recyclers wouldnt take it bcos it wasnt in individual bags. I phoned my council and told them this is going to be a big problem in the future, but they still havent done anything about it.ggggrrrrrrrr

Good luck is about the best advice you can wish for, I am afraid. English councils are notoriously incompetent and inefficient at just about everything except collecting payment for their absurdly inflated council taxes.

You could try withholding your next payment and advising them (in writing) that you will happily pay your bill when they start to correctly perform the function for which they are being so handsomely paid. Bit risky, though, you don't want to end up in a small claims' court.

Have you been in a state of agitation when you rang/contacted the council?

My advice, keep calm. Keep your requests clear and simple. Make sure you know who you are speaking to and ask them to confirm what action they are taking. If you have to do the same thing several times, so be it. Never 'explain' just state your request and ask for the action to be completed.

Last resort - go to your local councillor's surgey and repeat your request (calmly) and hand them a copy of your records.

Yep councils are a law unto themselves, do what i do ,dump it at the council offices it might be inconvenient but you feel good for it and in ref to the phone time you should realise they open for their convenience and not the working population who have to work ive always said they should stay open in the evenings and at least a saturday morning,anyway good luck.

Greetings Earthling, it is a shame something so trivial should happen to such a strong activist type person as yourself. I think you are not being tested to your true potential and this will later on be rectified. I mean LOL it is only cardboard, not child abuse, torture and murder, just cardboard. Bless you and your species. When we come to Earth to take over, we will have noted your existence and will keep an eye out on the cardboard situation in the Lancashire area. Snablart.

Contact you local councillor or MP by e-mail or letter and let them know your grievances

They are elected to serve the community and can influence services

Tell him or her you are doing your bit for recycling

and its Crucial that its supported by the council

employees too