Swindon expands food waste recycling to flats in push for greener future

So far, 1,873 tonnes of food waste have been collected this calendar year with Swindon Borough Council thanking residents for getting behind the service as it prepares to offer even more people the chance to recycle their leftover food.

Houses across the Borough first received food waste collections 18 months ago, but the Council will extend the service to all 11,000 flats in Swindon by March 2026, in line with national guidance.

To support this, a pilot scheme involving around 500 flats is being trialled from today (9 June). The pilot aims to test and tailor the service for larger housing blocks, ensuring it works effectively before a wider rollout.

Food waste makes up a significant proportion of household rubbish. Analysis in 2024 showed that 52 per cent of waste in Swindon’s wheelie bins was recyclable, with more than a quarter of that being food waste. 

The communal properties involved in the trial include:

• Elsie Hazell Court, Freshbrook
• Gainsborough Court, Freshbrook
• Prince Rupert Court, Freshbrook
• Windmill Court, Freshbrook
• Upavon Court, Penhill
• Cleverton Court, Penhill
• George Tweed Gardens, Ramleaze
• Margaret Matthews Court, Rodbourne
• Beaulieu Close, Toothill
• Goodrich Court, Toothill
• Westminster Court, Toothill
• Belsize House, Westlea

All of Swindon's food waste is sent to Codford Biogas, an anaerobic digestion plant, where it is processes into a nutrient-rich fertiliser, used on the surrounding farms and biogas that is used as a green energy source.

Councillor Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “I’m pleased that we're now able to begin rolling out our food waste service to those people living in flats, ahead of the national deadline. This will help improve our overall recycling rate locally, as more residents join our efforts to build a greener Swindon.

“I’m grateful to all of the residents who already support our food waste recycling service. There is more we can do though, with a quarter of recyclable waste in our black bins being food waste. For every tonne of waste that is recycled rather than put into residual waste streams, this saves residents of Swindon over £100 per tonne. 

“Our message is clear: please recycle your food waste. This includes a wide array of produce including, fruit and vegetable peelings, meat, fish and bread. Creating a weekly meal plan can help to reduce the amount of food you buy, saving time, effort and money. If you’re unsure if your food is recyclable, please search ‘Food Waste’ on our website and use the Waste Wizard.”