Plastic bottle and cardboard recycling collections

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What is the plastic bottle and cardboard recycling collection service?

All residents in Wiltshire can have their plastic bottles and cardboard collected for recycling from the kerbside every fortnight. This material is collected in your blue lidded wheeled bin or blue bags.

What can I recycle in my blue bin/bag?

Only plastic bottles can be put in your blue-lidded bin. All other plastic containers (labelled 1, 2 or 3) can be taken to your local household recycling centre.

We do not recycle any plastics labelled 4, 5 or 6  - please dispose of these in your general rubbish bin.

Where and when do I put my bin out?

To check your collection dates please see the online collection calendar. Please ensure that your bin / bags are placed at the edge of your property, at the kerbside. All bins / bags must be out before 7am.

Please note, all collection crew’s across Wiltshire now work bank holidays. The only bank holidays whereby collections may have to change is around Christmas.

Why can only plastic bottles be collected?

Plastic bottles are made of good quality plastics. There is a stable market for these plastic types. Other plastic types cause problems when they are recycled. Many councils therefore restrict their collections to "plastic bottles only" as this makes sure the highest quality of material is collected - if there are too many other types of plastics in the bin the whole truck full may be sent to landfill.

However, as more UK recycling infrastructure comes online in the future it may be possible for us to collect a wider range of plastics for recycling. With a countywide plastic bottle-only collection already in place, it would be fairly easy to increase the range of plastics if the opportunity arises.

If I can’t fit all my recycling in my blue lidded bin, can I put out additional bags?

No. Only recycling contained in your new bin will be collected. Any waste left by the side of your bin will be left. If you need extra capacity, please do not hesitate to contact the council and we will arrange another bin. Maximum of 2 blue lidded bins per property

Can I recycle Tetra pak or waxed cartons in with the cardboard collections?

No, because these containers contain other material such as plastic and aluminium. However, you can recycle Tetra pak products when you visit any of the household recycling centres, where there are recycling collection points.

Can I recycle shredded paper in my plastic bottle and cardboard bin?

Yes, you can. Shredded paper can be recycled in your plastic bottle and cardboard bin or bags as it will be contained within the bin. Please do not place shredded paper in a plastic bag before putting it inside the bin. Loose shredded paper is accepted, or you may like to contain it in an empty cardboard box, such as a cereal box, instead. Shredded paper must not be put into your black box as it may cause a potential litter problem.

If you have been issued with sacks for your plastic bottle and cardboard collection, shredded paper can also be put into your sacks. However we suggest that you place the shredded paper into an empty cardboard box, such as a cereal box, so that the shredded paper is contained and doesn’t cause a potential litter problem.

What happens to the plastic bottles and cardboard once they have been collected?

The plastic bottles and cardboard will be bulked up and sent to Calne in north Wiltshire where they will be mechanically separated from each other. The plastic bottles and cardboard are then recycled separately to be made into other products.

Last updated: 8 May 2012