Sort it before you bring it

Over a third of items put in the rubbish skips at the Wiltshire recycling sites are recyclable. Many of those have been disposed of in black bags.

By asking people to separate their recycling either at home before visiting the HRCs, or while they are at the HRC, we are encouraging more recycling and this reduces the waste going to landfill.

We are continuing our recycling efforts by asking residents to sort their materials before visiting the county's household recycling centres (HRCs).

People are being encouraged to sort their waste before they bring it to the HRC.

Then from September, there will be a gradual roll-out of designated sorting areas at HRCs for people to use. These areas will give people an opportunity and the space to sort their materials out at the centre if they did not have the time beforehand, helping to ensure that as many items as possible are recycled.

Staff will be on hand to provide any advice to those who need it.

To help you recycle as much as possible and reduce time on site, please sort and separate your unwanted items into different materials, such as wood, metals, batteries, green waste, and electricals, before visiting the recycling centres.

Sorting areas will be at the HRCs to give people an opportunity and the space to sort their materials out at the centre if they did not have the time beforehand.

Only non-recyclable items should be placed in the Household Waste residual skip.

Please start sorting your waste before you visit the sites now.

The sorting areas will initially be in place at Devizes and Warminster HRCs from 4 September and others will follow regularly after that.

If you are bringing bags or containers of mixed waste for the general waste skip site staff will be on hand to advise you how you can sort your waste better.

Sorting areas will be at the HRCs to give people an opportunity and the space to sort their materials so they can be placed in the small recycling bins at the sorting area.

We are encouraging people to sort their waste before they visit as this will make visits quicker and easier.

To speed up your visit, site staff will be on hand to advise when you visit. This should help you to better sort your waste for your next visit.

No. Your bags/containers contain your waste, and it is your responsibility to sort the recycling. Site staff will be on hand to advise you on how you can maximise recycling.

If you do not want to sort your waste on site, then please consider sorting your recycling before coming to the site.

Site operatives are available on site and can with enquiries with discretion and will be sensitive to genuine personal needs.

There is a list on our website showing the different items that can be left for recycling or reuse, using the separate containers provided. Use this to help you sort your waste into different material types. Staff on site will be happy to answer questions and queries.

In addition, there are many things which can be recycled at home in your recycling including: plastic bottles, pots, tubs, and trays; metal tins and cans; food and drink cartons; cardboard; paper; glass; household batteries. 

If you need help identifying and removing recyclable materials, site staff will be able to assist you when you arrive. You might find it easier to put waste in an open container so it can easily be identified.

HRCs are paid for by council tax payers and are provided for residents to bring their own household waste and recycling only. If you are bringing waste from other people then this is classified as Business waste. These sites are not licensed to accept commercial waste or commercial recycling.

If your business disposes of rubbish at a household recycling centre, you are committing an offence.

Anyone running a business, including self-catering accommodation or those providing services such as gardening or maintenance, have a responsibility to dispose of their waste legally. They are not permitted to use the HRCs.

If you take waste on behalf of a friend or family member

You are allowed to take waste to HRC on behalf of a friend or family member, provided that you are not receiving payment for this.

Please ensure that they have sorted all recyclable materials from the waste before they give it to you.

Householders and businesses have a 'duty of care' under the Environmental Protection Act to ensure that their waste is transferred only to authorised persons to prevent waste being fly-tipped.

Friends or family members taking your waste

Friends or family members are allowed to take waste to HRC on your behalf, provided that they are not receiving payment for this. Ensure that you have sorted all recyclable materials from the waste before you hand it over.

Paying someone to take your waste

You can employ anyone who is a registered waste carrier and they need to provide you with a waste transfer note for any waste they collect from you. Registered waste carriers can be small firms or a 'man with a van', as well as larger organisations. There are a number of private sector providers of waste collection services who provide a commercial waste collection service throughout Wiltshire. You should be able to find contact details for those companies from an internet search.

Check that your chosen contractor has a valid Waste Carriers Licence number. You can check this online with the Environment Agency: Register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers (opens new window) or by calling the Environment Agency on 03708 506506.

You should note the registration number of any vehicle taking the waste away and also a description of the people removing the waste. You should ask for a waste transfer note detailing where the waste is going, information about the transportation vehicle and the carrier's authorisation number. This is a legal obligation for businesses, but householders are also advised to request this information.

Fly-tipping is a criminal offence. Any individuals who do not deal responsibly with their waste will be investigated by the council's enforcement team.

There is no evidence which suggest that changes to waste policies, such as these, increase fly-tipping.

Any reports of fly-tipping should be reported to us for investigation.

Report fly-tipping

You can order new and replacement bins online.