15/03/05 Conservatives To Deliver Increased Recycling

Councillor Melanie Duff (Highworth), Councillor Justin Tomlinson (Abbey Meads) & Tim Yeo MP visiting the Highworth Full Kerbside Recycling Scheme

On Tuesday 15 March, Swindon Residents will be able to recycle more of their waste thanks to the expansion of a  scheme by Swindon Borough Council, as part of the Conservative Administrations plans to drive up recycling rates.

Resdients will be receiving a booklet in the post over the next few days explaining the new changes to the refuse and recycling service.

The changes people will see are:

* Expansion of the successful recycling collections to most of the houses in the borough.
* New collection days for recycling and refuse
* Dedicated collection day for green garden waste sacks.

From April, nearly all houses in the Borough will be joining the recycling collection service.

If residents already have a recycling box then the Council urge people to continue to use it. If not, a box will be delivered to their house during March.

The box will make it easy for residents to take part in either the fortnightly collection of paper and cardboard or the weekly collection of mixed recyclables (cans, glass, textiles etc).
In the booklet residents will receive it will tell you which scheme your street is included in.

Lead Member for Swindon Services, Councillor Justin Tomlinson said: "This is fantastic news. People are showing a real interest in recycling. Last year 50,000 tonnes of rubbish ended up in a hole in the ground, this figure is simply too large and hopefully with the expansion of the recycling service we can bring this figure down significantly".

"As part of our election pledges we promised to drive up recycling, especially with Labour increasing Landfill Tax by £3 per tonne, which would hit local Council Tax payers very hard."

If people are concerned or have questions about recycling please contact: 01793 463463