Waste collections to move by two working days

Waste and recycling collection days in a town are to move back two working days following being changed in 2024.

From Christmas Day, waste and recycling collections will pause and move by two working days in Swindon, with collections resuming on 29 December.

Swindon Borough Council said collections will restart with those whose usual collection would have been Christmas Day, and those whose usual collection falls on Boxing day having their collection on 30 December.

Councillor Chris Watts said: "Last year's change to waste and recycling collection days worked extremely well, and helped us maintain a reliable service during one of the busiest times of the year."

Mr Watts said the change means waste crews "can continue to avoid the Christmas backlog that used to affect around 40,000 households".

He added that the authority sees the most recyclable material wrongly put into black bins around Christmas time, and urged residents to recycle everything they can.

He said: "Every year, £2m worth of residents' money is spent disposing of recyclable material that is incorrectly put in the black bin – money that could be spent on essential services."

The change means residents should put out their bins two workings days later than usual, but every household will receive a note on their bins with more details.

For those whose waste and recycling bins are collected on different days, both services will move by two days.

People who use blue bags, or receive assisted collections, will be sent a postcard reminder by the council.

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