31/05/05 - Swindon's Recycling Rates Up 27%

Cllr Justin Tomlinson & Cllr Peter Stoddart At The Official
Opening Of Waterside - Recycling Site

LATEST FIGURES SHOW RECYCLING IS UP

Swindon’s waste recycling rate is up by a quarter on last year – and the council is confident that within the next 12 months, it will hit its target for recycling 30% of what households across the borough throw away.

The latest figures, for the twelve months up to the end of March 2005, showed that Swindon Borough recycled 19.5% of its rubbish, an increase of 27% over the previous year.

The amount recycled weighed 16358 tonnes, enough to fill 69000 wheelie bins. If stretched from end to end, they would reach from Swindon town centre to Stratford upon Avon!

The latest statistics do not take into account the major expansion of the Borough’s kerbside recycling service in April this year, which now covers 85% of households in Swindon.

Councillor Justin Tomlinson, the lead member for Swindon Services, says: “It’s too early at the moment to judge us against what is happening nationally, but we’re confident that last year’s rate of increase in Swindon’s recycling will compete with the best in England.

“This is especially encouraging as it doesn’t measure the effect of the kerbside recycling expansion in April. We are confident that this will boost our recycling rate further so that we achieve our 30% target for next year.

 “Once again residents have demonstrated that if given the facilities, recycling schemes will always be well supported."

"The Conservative controlled Council is now delivering the highest ever levels of recycling in Swindon - yet another example of action, not Labour talk."

Residents who receive the recycling service can buy additional boxes, if they need them, from Swindon Services at Derby Close, Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, for £4, or delivery can be arranged for £5 on 01793 463463.