Wiltshire residents are being encouraged to recycle their broken and unwanted pool accessories – such as goggles, armbands and floats – through an innovative scheme operating at swimming pools across the county.

Since joining the Leisure Loop Recycling Scheme in 2023, Olympiad Leisure Centre in Chippenham has become one of the top 10 highest recyclers in the UK, collecting an impressive 64.9kg of pool accessories for recycling, which equates to around 38.28kg of CO₂ saved. With around 45kg of recycled material required to produce a single recycled bench, Olympiad’s efforts alone have already contributed to the equivalent of more than one full bench.

In addition, three other Wiltshire Council leisure centres are among the country’s strongest contributors.

• Trowbridge Sports Centre: 54.35kg waste collected, 32.07kg CO₂ saved
• The Vale Community Campus, Pewsey: 52.05kg waste collected, 30.71kg CO₂ saved
• Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre, Salisbury: 41.80kg waste collected, 24.66kg CO₂ saved

Collectively, Wiltshire’s leisure centres have contributed over 213kg of pool waste, supporting a growing national movement to divert difficult-to-recycle materials away from landfill.

Research from Leisure Loop shows that the average six lane swimming pool generates over 100 litres of pool waste every month – everything from broken goggles to worn-out floats. If every UK pool worked together, the waste produced could fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in just eight months.

The scheme’s first national collective milestone is to recycle enough pool waste to fill an entire 25‑metre swimming pool. Wiltshire’s contributions are helping accelerate progress towards this goal, demonstrating how local action can fuel national impact.

Each participating Wiltshire Council site has a 100‑litre Leisure Loop recycling point where residents can drop off used poolside items such as flip flops, floats, kickboards, pull buoys and swim caps – items that cannot be recycled through standard kerbside collections.

Once collected, items are sorted by material type and colour, then shredded, washed and processed into a new raw material. This is used to create recycled plastic panels, which are then manufactured into new industry products such as changing room structures, completing the circular ‘leisure loop’.

The scheme also offers educational resources to help younger swimmers understand the environmental impact of pool waste and the importance of recycling.

Cllr Mel Jacob, Cabinet Member for Communities, Engagement and Corporate Services, said: “It’s inspiring to see Wiltshire’s leisure centres among the top contributors nationally to the Leisure Loop scheme, with Olympiad Leisure Centre ranked within the UK’s top ten recyclers. The efforts of Trowbridge, Pewsey and Five Rivers also show that our communities are really embracing this opportunity to reduce waste.

“Swimming pools generate a lot of equipment waste, and before much of it simply couldn’t be recycled. This scheme has changed that, giving residents a simple way to dispose of old goggles, floats and armbands responsibly while preventing significant volumes from going to landfill.

“What’s particularly exciting is that these discarded items aren’t just being diverted from waste – they’re being transformed into useful new products for the leisure industry, helping to create a true circular economy. It’s a fantastic example of local action driving real environmental impact, and we are incredibly proud of the role Wiltshire is playing in leading the way.”

Cameron Manson, Founder, Leisure Loop, said: “We’re delighted to recognise Wiltshire Council as one of our Top 10 Recycling Sites of 2025. Their leisure teams are showing what real environmental leadership looks like in practice, ensuring used swim equipment is recycled and turned into new products for the leisure sector. This recognition reflects consistent action, strong local engagement, and a genuine commitment to building a circular future for swimming.”

For more information about swimming and other activities at Wiltshire Council leisure centres, visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure.