Households trial recycling scheme ahead of rollout

Under the new rules, residents will have to separate recycling into four groups of recyclable materials

Hundreds of households are set to take part in a trial recycling scheme to assess potential issues ahead of a county-wide rollout in 2027.

Wiltshire Council will run a targeted trial in Chippenham to test operational aspects and communication with residents.

More than 500 households will be asked to separate their recycling into paper and cardboard, plastic, cartons and metals, glass bottles and jars, and plastic bags and wrapping.

The trial will run from September until February 2026, and people will be asked to feedback in an online or paper survey.

Food waste collections are not included in the trial as the council does not currently have the specialist vehicles to collect it separately.

But a separate food waste collection service will also be introduced in 2027.

The selected trial area includes properties across the Chippenham Hardens and Central, and Chippenham Sheldon areas.

This area was chosen for its variety of housing types, proximity to the facility where recycling is sorted and a slightly higher use of reusable recycling sacks - 4.4% compared to the county average of 3%.

Households selected as part of the trial will receive a letter in the week commencing 18 August, along with guidance on how to use the new containers.

Councillor Paul Sample said the trial aims to ensure the "transition is a success"

This initiative supports Wiltshire's commitment to reducing landfill waste and improving recycling rates under the Environment Act 2021.

Councillor Paul Sample, cabinet member for environment, climate and waste, said: "The council is legally required to implement changes to our recycling services by 2027.

"These changes, along with the collection of food waste, will contribute to delivering these priorities.

"As part of this trial, we want to understand the views of our residents as we design the new service to ensure the transition is a success."