It was like finding a needle in a haystack – or a ring in a mountain of cardboard.

That was the daunting prospect which faced Sophie Rayton after her husband's wedding band slipped off his finger as he dumped the family's recycling into a bin at Cheltenham's Swindon Road recycling centre.

As soon as she realised what had happened, the 22-year-old called the company which runs the waste centre to stop workers sending the bin's contents – and the ring with it – off to be recycled.

But her heart sank when she arrived – without Carl who was working – at Printwaste's HQ in Swindon Road the next day to be faced with the Mount Everest of the recycling world.

Sophie, who lives in Priors Road, Whaddon, with husband Carl and her three young boys, said: "It was quite a mound – like the needle in a haystack cliche you always hear. I knew it was in there somewhere so we just got on with it."

With the help of Printwaste co-owner Geof Robins, Sophie set about working her way through the piles of takeaway boxes and packaging material.

After half an hour , a shout of joy rang out as Geof stumbled across the ring and held it aloft in triumph.

"I was just so pleased," said Sophie, who has been married to 28-year-old Carl for four years. "I always thought I would find it but I can't believe we managed it so quickly. When I got there they said I would have to look through the stuff on my own, but then Geof decided to stay with me.

"I put on a jacket and a pair of gloves and just started rummaging. Then I heard the shout from Geof and knew he had found it. It was a big relief just to find it so soon. I'm also really grateful to Geof for letting me look in the first place and then helping to find the ring."

Mr Robins said he had been more than happy to lend a hand. He said: "When we got the call we knew we had to help. I have to admit I was doubtful we would ever find Mr Royton's ring, but it's nice to have a happy end to this tale."