Garden Waste goes 'green'
Recycling garden waste will be made easier and 'greener' after the Executive gave the go-ahead for the introduction of a new service last week (24 April).
The existing garden waste scheme, introduced just seven years ago, has been so successful that 6,000 tonnes of trimmings, prunings and dead plants were composted last year rather than being sent to bulk up landfill sites - that's the equivalent of 16 jumbo jets. Unfortunately, the 600,000 plastic bags the waste was collected in weren't so lucky and they did end up in landfill.
Cllr Julian Ellacott, Executive Member for Environment, said: "The current scheme has been very successful, but we are aware that it is not ideal. For one thing, we do not have the option of using biodegradable bags to collect the waste, therefore they all have to go to landfill. Also, feedback from residents suggests that the existing bags can be heavy to carry around when full and are not durable enough for thicker or sharp trimmings.
As a result, like most of our neighbouring councils, we will be introducing a wheelie bin system. The benefits will be fewer vehicles on the road, we won't have to dispose of 600,000 bags into landfill, and the bin will be delivered to your door so no need for trips to buy more bags when you run out."
From 4 August
Residents will be able to join the new scheme from 4 August but existing garden waste bags will continue to be sold and collected until October. For a first year's fee of £29 residents will be given a 240 litre brown wheelie bin - 70% larger than the wheeled bins used for household waste. This can be wheeled around the garden as you work and then put out once a fortnight for collection.
The garden waste will then be taken direct to a composter where it will be chopped-up, heat-treated and turned into 100% organic compost, approved by the Soil Association, which residents will be able to buy back. Owners of smaller gardens will be encouraged to share a bin with their neighbours and there will be a re-usable garden sack option available for those whose property layout prevents the use of a wheelie bin.
More information about the service will be added to this website in the coming months and will also be available from our Help Shops.
"Market research and the experience of other nearby Councils have shown that the majority of residents support a re-usable garden waste bin. And, the beauty of the wheelie bin is that the garden waste starts composting straight away so you might fill it up one day and then three days later you can add more," added Cllr Ellacott.
More information
New Garden Waste Collection Service page
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
customer.services@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
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