Published on 2nd March 2015

African elephant with a bird on its head

A pilot scheme to divert recyclables from landfill at Swindon Road household recycling centre has been hailed a success.

During the first two weeks of the month long trial, more than 5 tonnes of household waste was saved from landfill and recycled instead.

The weight of materials – which included amongst other things paper, textiles, plastics, card, cans, light bulbs and batteries – equates to that of an average African elephant.  Councillors have been doing their bit by sorting the items which residents have brought to the Swindon Road recycling centre to see what can be saved from landfill and recycled instead. It is hoped that this will raise awareness of the importance of segregating all recyclables before visiting the facility.

The initiative is part of Cheltenham Borough Council’s ‘thanks a million’ campaign, which sends out a reminder that recycling and composting by Cheltenham residents saves over £1million on landfill tax costs every year.

Councillor Chris Coleman, cabinet member for clean and green environment said: ‘’I expected the scheme to have a positive impact as it’s always tempting to throw things out without giving it a second thought. The results in the first two weeks however have been incredible. We have filled recycling skips full of items which would otherwise have gone to landfill. We have also been able to take the time to talk to residents as they arrive at the recycling centre and offer advice about the vast range of items that can so easily be recycled.   I’d like to thank our residents, who have been happy to listen to the advice and take it on board and also the staff at the household recycling centre who have worked hard to make the trial a success.’’

The exercise will now be extended to continue throughout March, making a huge environmental impact and saving even more money on landfill tax costs.


For press enquiries contact: Katie Sandey, communications team leader, on 01242 775050 or email [email protected]

Materials diverted from landfill - weight in kilograms
Material  Week 1  Week 2  Week 3  Week 4 Total weight 
Paper 740   660  760    2160
Textiles 800  400  500    1700
Plastics/cans  300  200  Not weighed    500
Light bulbs  20  20  20    60
Hard plastics  450  240  280    970
Tetra pac  30  20  10    60
Metal  400 Not weighed Not weighed     400
Card  660 Not weighted  640    1300
Small electrical  400 Not weighed Not weighed    400
Total weight  3800  1540      

The ‘not weighed’ tonnage is a roll over and the material contained in the skip isn’t of the quantity to qualify for emptying and therefore it hasn’t been emptied nor weighed when doing so. The contents in each category will be emptied and weighed at the end of week 4. The council will report on these figures.