Wiltshire's recycling figures in comparison to others

DEFRA, the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs recently supplied statistics on rejection rates for household recycling to a private waste collection company following a Freedom of Information request.

The company then issued a press release to local news outlets based on the figures it had obtained. 

Rejection is where waste cannot be recycled because it is contaminated - often by residual food waste - or by materials not routinely recycled by the council put in collection bins.

The figures suggested that Wiltshire had one of the highest rejection rates in the South West, at 12 per cent. 

But following enquiries from the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Wiltshire insisted its rejection rates were not as bad as suggested.

"These figures are based on a methodology that isn't usually used or reported by councils," said Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for environment, climate and waste, Paul Sample.

"They do not reflect like-for-like comparisons. In Wiltshire, for instance, incorrect items put into recycling bins are separated at our sorting facility. They are then classed as ‘rejects’. 

"These are often materials that could have been recycled if they had been taken to a household recycling centre instead of put in the bin."

The council said it encourages residents to find out what they can recycle and to recycle as much as possible through its Recycling: Let’s Sort It campaign, which has won awards.

From 2027, the council be introducing a new three-stream recycling system in line with national legislation. 

Residents will be asked to separate paper and card from other materials. Glass will be collected in its own container. 

Residents will also be able to recycle flexible plastics like bread bags. 

"I am pleased to confirm that we will also be rolling out the weekly collection of food waste," said Cllr Sample.

"These changes are designed to increase both the quality and quantity of the items that we collect for recycling.”