AN ANGRY recycler has been told that items in her rubbish bin can no longer be picked up because they don't pass the scrunch test'.

Sarah Odey, of Bilborough Drive, Walcot, says that she was dismayed when she discovered 40 crisps wrappers were left in her recycling box.

She says refuse collectors have been collecting the packets for several months.

But Swindon Council says that picking up the packages in the past was down to a mistake and binmen have now been re-trained in the scrunch test' and told to ignore the items.

The test is a system, used by the council, to see if the material is recyclable or not.

Residents are asked to scrunch the item in their hand, if it stays scrunched then it is recyclable, but if it doesn't it cannot be collected.

But Mrs Odey, 32, says: "I have been putting those items in the recycling box since the system came into place," she said.

"The men have been taking it every week since last year, and then one day my boy found 40 packages of crisps in there. Apparently all of a sudden last week they decided that they won't take them any more.

"I have been teaching my children recycle in this way for almost a year. I have scolded them for not putting crisp packets in the box, and now I have to re-educate them. On the website it clearly states what the council does and does not pick up but never mentions bags of crisps."

A council spokeswoman said: "When it comes to these packets it is not a lack of will but a lack of facilities. Our crews have undertaken refresher training and are now fully aware of what items should and should not be collected.

"Items that can be placed in the recycling box include tin cans, most glass bottles and jars, broken down cardboard, clean clothing, newspapers and clean foil."

Anyone interested can find full list on www.swindon.gov.uk or by calling 01793 445501.