Families across Wiltshire are being encouraged to recycle broken and unwanted pool accessories – from goggles and armbands to floats and flip flops – through an innovative nationwide initiative now operating at local leisure centres.
Since joining the Leisure Loop Recycling Scheme in 2023, Olympiad Leisure Centre has become one of the top 10 highest recyclers in the UK. The centre has collected 64.9kg of pool accessories for recycling, equating to around 38.28kg of CO2 saved.
With approximately 45kg of recycled material needed to produce a single recycled bench, Olympiad’s efforts have already contributed to the equivalent of more than one full bench.
Three other Wiltshire Council leisure centres are also among the country’s strongest contributors.
Trowbridge Sports Centre has collected 54.35kg of waste, saving 32.07kg of CO2.
The Vale Community Campus has recycled 52.05kg, saving 30.71kg of CO2.
Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre has collected 41.80kg, saving 24.66kg of CO2.
Collectively, Wiltshire’s leisure centres have contributed more than 213kg of pool waste, helping divert difficult-to-recycle materials away from landfill and supporting a growing national movement.
Research from Leisure Loop shows that the average six-lane swimming pool generates over 100 litres of pool waste every month. 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 milestone is to recycle enough pool waste to fill an entire 25-metre swimming pool. Wiltshire’s contribution is helping accelerate progress towards that goal.
Each participating site has a 100-litre Leisure Loop recycling point where families can drop off used poolside items that cannot be recycled through standard kerbside collections, including swim caps, kickboards and pull buoys.
Once collected, items are sorted by material type and colour, then shredded, washed and processed into new raw material. This is used to create recycled plastic panels, which are manufactured into products such as changing room structures, completing the circular ‘leisure loop’.
The scheme also provides 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 of 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.
