New Household Green Waste Collection Service Set to Start

The council’s new optional, paid-for green waste collection service starts next week and subscription levels continue to rise.

So far more than 6,500 households have now signed up for the annual service, which costs £40 for a fortnightly collection, except two weeks at Christmas, and includes a wheelie bin or supply of bags for properties the council considers unsuitable for a bin. 

The last collection round under the current four-bag limit service finishes today (Friday, 28th March) and households were reminded of the changes in their annual council tax bills. Residents are asked not to put out bags of unregistered green waste after their final collection date as they will no longer be picked up.

Les and Yvonne Crowfoot, of Lawn, have taken delivery of their green wheelie bin and are looking forward to the new service.

Les, a lorry driver, said: “With the recent warm weather, I’ve started gardening so there are already some hedge clippings in my bin. I like to keep the lawn looking neat and the grass cuttings will be going in there too. The bin is much more convenient than the bags I had to buy, which sometimes split and could smell, particularly in the summer months. I think £40 for an annual subscription is more than reasonable and I’m all set for my first collection.”

Alternatively, composting at home is an option and the council has teamed up with SEQOL Enterprise Works, which provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities, to offer heavily discounted compost bins for sale with prices starting at £15.99. 

Households which choose not to sign up for new service can also take their green waste to the Household Waste Recycling Centre, in Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, where it goes on to be composted. The extended summer opening hours until 8pm daily will apply from Sunday, 30th March. As the weather improves the site gets busier, particularly at weekends and during bank holidays, and residents are reminded of the webcam on the website which means they can check on queues before setting off and plan their journey accordingly.

Cllr Richard Hurley, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Housing and StreetSmart, said: “It is encouraging that over 6,500 households have now registered to receive the new, improved service and we anticipate subscriptions levels will continue to rise over the spring and summer months. I would like to thank residents in advance for their co-operation with these changes.”