Residents are encouraged to sort their recycling

The recycling box sorting campaign aims to increase the number of residents who are sorting their waste into two or more boxes.

The campaign will be the first of a series initiatives that will take place over the next 12 months and will contribute to the Council’s 10-year Waste Strategy, which has been developed in order to achieve the best environmental and economic outcomes for Swindon. It also aims to increase the Council’s recycling rate to 60% by 2029, a year ahead of the national target. 

Residents are encouraged to split all paper and card products into one box, this should include paper, broken up cardboard (no bigger than the size of the recycling box lid), non-metallic cards and wrapping paper, junk mail, leaflets, catalogues, magazines, newspapers, booklets and envelopes.

The other box should contain all metal and glass products including glass bottles and jars, metal cans and tins, empty aerosols and foil. Households who produce more recycling, can order a separate recycling box for each material.

Textile recycling must be presented in a tied carrier bag marked ‘textiles’ and placed on top or inside of recycling boxes. Plastics should be presented in a transparent or white plastic bag. Plastics may be subject to a separate collection and residents can find out their collection days at www.swindon.gov.uk/rubbishcollectiondays.

The Council’s crews hand sort recycling into the collection vehicle at the kerbside. This type of collection ensures the Council collects high-quality recycling to send on to the re-processors.

Sorting materials correctly carries a number of benefits to both crews and residents. It is easier and safer for crews to handle and empty sorted boxes than boxes that contain a mix of recyclables. Efficient sorting allows crews to quickly empty boxes and move to the next street faster, reducing the impact on local traffic and residents.

The recycling crews always aim to leave streets clean before moving on, if boxes are sorted correctly there is less risk of recycling escaping and being left on the street. 

Councillor Maureen Penny, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and the Environment, said: “Our crews have to work at a fast pace to ensure all collections are completed on time.

In order for crews to be efficient we need our residents’ help to sort their recycling into the correct boxes. With a few small changes to their recycling routine, residents can help our crews out enormously.”

Residents who require additional boxes to separate their recycling can order more at www.swindon.gov.uk/newbox.