Recycling collection day and system changes

We are making it even easier for people to use the kerbside recycling collection service.

The way in which recyclable materials are collected will change and this means that many households will see their collection day change.

The changes will enable more materials to be placed in the blue lidded bin.  More efficient routes will also see fewer collection vehicles on the road, which will further reduce the council's impact on the environment as part of its pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Letters are being sent to every household in Wiltshire to inform them of their new collection day. Once residents have received their letters they can also go online and check their collection day and print off a bespoke collection calendar. 

In summary, the changes are:

• In the blue lidded bin you can recycle: cans, tins, aerosols, paper, cardboard, cartons, foil, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays
• In your black box you can recycle: glass bottles and jars and bagged, dry textiles
• The blue lidded bins and black boxes will be emptied fortnightly on the same day, using new recycling collection vehicles.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Waste said These improvements to the kerbside recycling service will make it even easier for people to recycle their waste and help us increase the amount of waste we recycle.

The service changes will take place from 24 February to 20 March, so we are asking people to look out for a letter which will tell them the dates of their last black box and blue lidded bin collection under the current system and the date of their first collection under the new system. Once they have received their letters, people can also visit our website to find out when their recycling collection day will be under the new arrangements.

The collection day changes will improve the efficiency of our rounds and reduce the number of vehicles on our roads. Fewer vehicles mean we will reduce our environmental impact and contribute to our aim of becoming a carbon neutral council by 2030.

Recycling tips:

• Wash and squash all cans, tins, plastic and cartons where possible
• Bottles, jars, cans, cartons and aerosols should be empty; lids can be left on
• Flatten cardboard boxes to make more room in your bin

If you think you may not have enough room in your blue lidded bin, please try squashing and flattening as much of your recycling as possible for the first few collections to see if this means you could manage. Larger or additional blue lidded bins will not be delivered until residents have first tried the new service and demonstrated to themselves that, despite squashing and flattening materials, they need additional capacity. They can then request a larger or additional blue lidded bin via our website.