Swindon garden centre launches compost bag recycling scheme

Swindon people can now recycle their compost bags thanks to a scheme launched by Hyde Road garden centre Dobbies.

The firm says compost packaging is typically difficult for people to recycle as very few local authorities collect polythene sacks as part of kerbside collections or at recycling centres.

Research by Dobbies has shown that 37 percent of gardeners in the South West want to recycle more of their garden waste products and 38 percent of people are more likely to shop at a garden centre that is sustainably focused.

Now waste-aware gardeners can recycle their compost bag at their local Dobbies branch. 

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies, said: “With this scheme, anyone can bring in any compost packaging to Dobbies Swindon, no matter what brand or where it was purchased, and return it to one of the recycling bins. 

“We wanted to ensure gardeners across Swindon had the opportunity to dispose of their compost packaging in a sustainable way.” 

Dobbies is working with partners Evergreen Garden Care to create garden furniture from the recycled material. This will be donated to Greenfingers, a charity which creates green spaces for terminally ill children.  

Jane Hartley, Sustainability Marketing Manager at Evergreen Garden Care, said: “We are delighted to be working in collaboration with Dobbies, rolling out the compost bag scheme across all mainline stores, including Swindon.

"We had a trial with 10 stores to develop a collection programme that will work across all stores. We hope residents in Swindon make the most of this scheme.” 

The compost bag recycling scheme follows other environmental initiatives, including a partnership with sustainable plant pot designer, elho. This has seen plastic pot recycling bins placed in 69 of Dobbies garden centres, including Swindon's.

Further information can be found at https://www.dobbies.com/sustainability-policy and at https://www.dobbies.com/podcasts