Mixed plastics kerbside collections introduced in Swindon

Jill Park, packagingnews.co.uk, 24 June 2009

 

Swindon Borough Council has introduced mixed plastics recycling to move the council closer to meeting its target to recycle 50% of all household waste by 2010.

 

The council will collect mixed plastic packaging in all colours, except black which can't be separated from other colours by the optical separation equipment used by the reprocessors.

 

"What we're saying to residents, as a simple guide, is that if it's plastic and it's been used to contain food or household cleaning products, and it isn't black, we can recycle it," said a council spokesman.

 

Mixed plastics collections will commence from 1 July in Swindon, on the same day as the plastic bottle and green waste collections.

 

The council also offers weekly kerbside recycling for cans, aerosols, foil, mixed glass, paper, cardboard and textiles.

 

Since Swindon Borough Council introduced kerbside recycling collections two years ago, the amount of household waste recycled has increased from 19% to 44%.

 

It is hoped the new collection will help the council reach its target to recycle 50% of all household waste by 2010.