Due to a surge in staff shortages because of the continued impacts of COVID-19 and current staff sickness, alongside a national shortage of HGV drivers, we’re currently unable to provide our standard recycling service.

From today (19 July) all households across the Borough will move to a temporary four weekly recycling box collection (paper, cardboard, tins, glass). All other waste collections remain unchanged.

Due to the complicated nature of the collection rounds, please read the below information carefully.

If your recycling collection is due this week (week commencing 19 July), you should put your recycling boxes out as normal. If your recycling is collected, your next collection will take place in four weeks’ time (week commencing 16 August). If your recycling is not collected within 24 hours, please bring it in and put it back out on your next collection day in two weeks’ time (week commencing 2 August).

If your recycling collection is due next week (week commencing 26 July), you should put your recycling boxes out as normal next week. If your recycling is collected, your next collection will take place in four weeks’ time (week commencing 23 August). If your recycling is not collected within 24 hours, please bring it in and put it back out on your next collection day (week commencing 9 August).

We will keep this under regular review and will return to our normal service as soon as possible. We’ll let you know as soon as anything changes and our website is currently being updated with further advice.

During this period the recycling crews will be collecting additional recycling, providing it is presented in sturdy containers. Excess cardboard must be broken down into manageable pieces and bundled neatly next to recycling boxes ready for collection.

Please note these changes don’t affect black wheelie bin, blue bag, plastic recycling, food waste, garden waste or clinical waste collections. If you receive any of these services, these will continue as normal.

Thank you for your understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. Please share this message with friends, family and neighbours in Swindon Borough, as well as those you know don’t have internet access.