Food waste collection to expand to 11,000 flats

Councillor Chris Watts said he was "really pleased" with the success of the pilot programme

A pilot project collecting waste from 500 flats in a town has proved successful meaning it will now be rolled out to cover 11,000 properties.

More than two tonnes of food waste were collected from flats in Swindon during the scheme.

A borough-wide food waste service was first introduced for houses in 2023 but the new pilot only began in June to test and tailor the service for larger housing blocks.

Waste warden Chris Smith said: "It's a generational thing getting people into recycling. As long as we can do our bit for society, it's not just for us, it's our future."

Councillor Chris Watts, cabinet member for the environment and transport, said he was "really pleased" by the pilot's success, adding that it brought economic benefits as well as environmental ones.

He said the borough council gets paid for the food waste it produces, which results in an "£150 turnaround" per tonne compared to the previous situation of having to pay for waste to be incinerated.

A significant proportion of household rubbish in the town is made up of food waste, with analysis in 2024 showing that it accounts for more than a quarter of recyclable waste in Swindon's wheelie bins.

Having already been introduced to areas in Park North and Penhill, the rollout of the scheme will now incorporate parts of west Swindon.

Waste warden Chris Smith said there was enthusiasm for recycling among younger generations

Mr Smith said he was optimistic about the scheme, despite a slow initial response.

"Recycling as a whole is going to grow and grow and grow until all that should go in your general waste will be plasters and chocolate bar wrappers," he added.