Swindon's Recycle Week highlights importance of proper waste sorting
Council emphasizes reducing waste costs and improving recycling efficiency
During Recycle Week, Councillor Kevin Parry of Swindon Borough Council visited Swindon's Household Waste and Recycling Centre to observe the borough's waste management processes.
Swindon Borough Council collects food waste and recyclables from over 100,000 homes weekly, transforming 4,900 tonnes of food waste into renewable biogas and fertiliser at Codford Biogas, near Salisbury.
Cllr Parry noted that recyclable materials, particularly food waste, still frequently end up in general waste bins, costing the council over £150 per tonne in disposal costs.
Such practices lead to financial losses that could otherwise support local services, with annual savings amounting to around £1 million through proper recycling.
During his visit, Cllr Parry witnessed a variety of items at the recycling centre, including electrical goods, furniture, musical instruments, and fishing equipment.
Efforts to repurpose suitable items through auctions are part of reducing landfill waste.
He commended residents for their recycling initiatives but pressed the importance of using correct bins to maximize benefits.
Cllr Parry urged residents to “check before you chuck,” and reminded them of the ease of contributing to a cleaner, greener Swindon by sorting waste correctly.
Residents are encouraged to wash, squash, and recycle items loose, as bagged recycling may hinder sorting processes.
For more information on recycling and waste management, residents can access the Council’s online Waste Wizard.