People asked to “sort it before they bring it” to increase recycling

Monday, 4 December 2023 00:00

Wiltshire Council is continuing its recycling efforts to support and encourage people to ‘Let’s Sort It’, by asking residents to sort their materials before visiting the county’s Household Recycling Centres.

The council’s data shows that more than a third of the items put in the general rubbish skips at Wiltshire’s HRCs could have been recycled. People are being encouraged to sort their waste before they bring it to the HRC, which will help ensure as many items as possible can be recycled. This will help to reduce waste and contribute to the council’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Designated sorting areas have now been rolled out at all HRCs for people to use. These areas 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 are on hand to provide any advice to those who need it.

So, whether people have been clearing out the garage, moving house, or just having a sort-out – the advice is to please sort the recycling before they visit the HRC.  

Cllr Nick Holder, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We know how tempting it might be to just put things in a bin bag so that they can be thrown into the household waste container at our centres, but that means we’re not recycling as much as we should be.

“We’re asking people to take extra time and care when sorting out their materials before they visit their local HRC so that as much as possible can be recycled – which is more important now than ever before. Those who visit our HRCs clearly have good intentions, but more than a third of what’s put in the household waste skips could have been recycled, so it’s vital we all go that extra mile. 

“Staff at the sites are on hand to help provide advice and assistance to anyone who sorts their waste at one of our new designated areas.

“People have responded so positively to our Let’s Sort It campaign so far and we thank them once again for their support in ensuring our Household Recycling Centres can recycle as much of Wiltshire’s waste as possible.”

Through its award-winning Recycling Let’s Sort It campaign, in recent months the council has been working hard to ensure as many materials as possible are recycled. Over the past year, the council has:

Increased its messaging to advise residents on what materials goes into each household bin. Rolled out small battery collection as part of its kerbside service. Commenced a new kerbside recycling service so small rechargeable electrical items can now be collected.

A reminder that if people are visiting a HRCs over the coming months, they have now switched to their annual winter opening hours of 10 am to 4 pm on each day that they’re open.

More information and FAQs can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/rubbish-and-recycling.