TONNES of waste from thousands of Wiltshire homes will be sent across the country for recycling as the scheme gets under way.

After the boxes are picked up from the kerbside the state-of-the-art lorries will first drive to Compton Bassett, where the waste is sorted and shipped off for recycling.

Some was is sorted and recycled in the county: aluminium foil is sent for sorting by learning disabled adults studying at Middlefield day centre in Chippenham, earning the centre around £4,000 every year.

Russell Fargent, manager of Middlefield day centre, said: "We are delighted to be handling Wiltshire's waste for the benefit of the environment and our clients.

"The funds raised will be put towards purchasing some new garden equipment for the centre and help fund our clients' ongoing education."

Textiles are taken to a recycling centre in Devizes and many secondhand clothes will be sent to developing countries in Africa and the Middle East.

Paper, blocked in 24-tonne loads, will be sent to Aylesford Newsprint in Kent to be re-pulped.

Glass from homes in Wiltshire will be recycled at a site in west Yorkshire and aluminium will be sent to Warrington and melted in furnaces at 800C.

Metal cans go to south Wales where they are shredded, cast into ingots and sold worldwide for specialist electrical and coating applications.