Dobbies launch compost bag recycling scheme in Swansea

Garden centre, Dobbies in Swansea has launched a new initiative which means local residents can now recycle their compost bags. 

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 undertaken by Dobbies has shown that 39% of gardeners in Wales want to recycle more of their garden waste products and 42% of people are more likely to shop at a garden centre that is sustainably focused, and now waste aware gardeners can recycle their compost bag at their local Dobbies’ store in Swansea. 

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

“We wanted to ensure gardeners across Swansea 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 that creates green spaces for terminally ill children.  

Jane Hartley, Sustainability Marketing Manager, Evergreen Garden Care, adds “We are delighted to be working in collaboration with Dobbies, rolling out the compost bag scheme across all mainline stores, including Swansea. We had a trial with 10 stores to develop a collection programme that will work across all stores. We hope residents in Swansea 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 Swansea. The company say this will help reduce unnecessary plastic waste in the garden and prevent further plastic waste ending up in landfill.