Ref. 30791-48A FRIDGE shredder is set to revolutionise the way Swindon deals with its waste.

Dubbed The Magic Box by council chiefs, the £2 million mobile machine will make light work of Swindon's fridge mountain at the Household Waste Recycling Centre, in Barnfield Road.

And Swindon is the first local authority in the country to get it thanks to a partnership with German firm SEG.

Geoff Davies, the leader of Swindon Council's waste management team, said the giant shredder, which comes with its own three-vehicle convoy, will visit the town every 12 months or when 8,000 fridges have been collected.

"Hopefully we will set an example to other local authorities," he said.

"This town firmly believes in the principle that it should deal with its waste locally."

The machine, which is being rented to the council at an undisclosed sum, finely shreds the fridges, before separating the pieces into four groups ferrous and non-ferrous metals, foam and plastic.

The majority of the metal will find its way to EMR in Gipsy Lane for grading and treatment.

Under the deal with SEG, plastic and foam will be shipped to Germany where recycling programmes are among the most advanced in the country.

The foam will be finely ground down and used to mop up oil spillages.

The first part of the scheme swung into action in 2002 when the council brought in a machine to drain the fridges of CFCs, which are harmful to the environment. This has allowed them to be stacked.

Mr Davies, however, urged people to think twice before parting with their fridge.

He said: "Sadly, with all these interest-free credit options around, people are less inclined to carry out minor repairs."

Swindon Council is currently reviewing its £20 charge to collect old fridges. A decision is expected by August.