Householders in Swindon are being asked to spend a little more time at home sorting their recycling before putting it out for collection.

Up until now the recycling system in Swindon has been to put nearly all recyclable materials in a box, and plastics in a bag.

Crews come and collect it from the roadside and sort it into different categories there and then before putting it into different parts of the truck – bottles in one section, cans in another paper and cardboard in another.

Then back at the Waterside Park depot it’s deposited in huge piles of different types of materials, sorted, bundled compacted and then sent on to be recycled.

Now the council’s waste experts want people to use two boxes for their recyclable rubbish.

Ian Arnold, who manages the council’s recycling strategy, said: “Just a few minutes of sorting by everyone before they put the recycling out will speed everything up for the crews at the roadside.

"If things are sorted into a bag for plastics and one box for paper and cardboard and another for glass bottles and card, tin cans, foil and aerosols, then they’ll be quicker at the side of the road, and get round the routes quicker.

“It should also help us increase our recycling rate as well.”

Last year’s rate was 38 per cent, which is much lower than the targets set nationally for the borough council of 50 per cent.

It used to be higher than that but has dropped in recent years.

The authority’s cabinet member for highways and the environment Maureen Penny hopes that getting people to sort their recycling out might mean they’re less likely just to put it in the non-recycling standard bin.

She said: “If people are sorting it, it might mean they won’t put things like cans or bottles in the non-recycling bin. That doesn’t go to landfill, it’s made into fuel, but we have to take the cans and bottles out of it before that happens.”

Extra recycling boxes, if needed, can be requested via the council’s website at swindon.gov.uk or on 01793 445501.

A leaflet will be posted to all houses soon explaining what can and can’t be recycled and what to do with it.

What to do with plastics...

Plastic waste should neither be put into the recycling boxes, not into the wheelie bins.

To have your plastics recycled put it out in a clear or translucent white plastic bag, tied up, along with the recycling boxes.

Bottles, including milk, shampoo and soap bottles, takeaway and food tubs, such as yoghurt pots, ice cream cartons and spread tubs and white plastic trays, are all welcome.

Please give them a wash before putting them out to make sure residues of food or soap don’ t contaminate the materials.

Black plastic used for food trays, toys, hard plastic like buckets and plant pots and polystyrene and bubble wrap shouldn’t be put in the bags, they can be taken to the recycling centre of put in the ordinary bin.

..And clothes shoes and textiles

The best thing to do with unwanted clothes or shoes or other textiles like curtains or towels is to take them to a charity shop so they are used again.

For items that can’t be re-sold or re-used, put them in a clear or translucent white plastic bag, tie it at the top and put it on top of the recycling inside in of your boxes.

Please don’t put in wet or damp clothes or textiles, as they won’t be collected.

Please don’t put out items such as duvets, pillows or sleeping bags in the recycling. They can be taken to the household waste recycling centre at Waterside Park, or can be put into the black wheelie bin or blue bag.

Shoes and footwear should be paired where possible.

Garden waste and bulky items

Garden waste is collected on a fortnightly basis for those who pay for the service.

It costs £50 per year and subscribers are given a green wheelie bin.

The service will take grass clippings and leaves, flowers, shrubs, plants including pond plants, hedge trimmings pet bedding of hay and straw and small twigs and branches.

No food waste, earl or rubble, treated wood or pet waste or cloth or paper bedding please.

Bulky items like mattresses, carpets, fridges and freezers and furniture i can be taken to the recycling centre or collected from the home, for a fee.

Gas cylinders or asbestos will not be collected. Request a collection through swindon.gov.uk

Non-recyclable items

Some of our waste just can’t be recycled, or it’s too expensive to do it, or there’s not enough of a market to make it worth doing.

Such items should be put in your wheelie bin or blue bag.

They include Nappies and sanitary products, and west or used kitchen paper, tissues and wipes

Polystyrene and bubble wrap and cling film and sandwich bags should also be binned.

Plastic lined cardboard, like Tetra Paks and milk cartons and supermarket sandwich cartons can’t be recycled nor can crisp packets.

Medical waste or medicines should not be put in the bins and electrical items and batteries should be taken to the recycling centre.