New Garden Waste Service Launched
A new environmentally friendly garden waste collection scheme is
being launched by Wyre Forest District Council.
The scheme will start in early April, with collections every
fortnight up until the end of November. Collections will then
begin again in March 2011. The service provides a hassle-free
way of getting rid of garden waste, including grass cuttings, hedge
and shrub clippings, weeds, cut flowers, leaves, twigs and
bark. The garden waste will be taken for composting into a
soil conditioner.
The Council is working to reduce the amount of garden waste
which is put in household refuse bins. This is because if it
is sent to landfill it will rot in the ground and produce methane –
a greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change.
The new service will cost £30 plus a one off £20 fee (payable by
Direct Debit only) when residents join the scheme. Initially
the scheme is limited and will not cover all homes. Anyone
wishing to see if their area is included in the scheme can easily
check by visiting the garden waste webpage or emailing
gardenwaste.
Anyone without access to the internet can check by contacting the
Worcestershire Hub on 01562 732928. The webpage also has more
details on the scheme so residents can find out if it is right for
them. This includes information on payments, what can and can
not be put into bins and also what happens if you move or a bin is
damaged. These details can also be obtained from the Worcestershire
Hub.
A series of roadshows has also been organised so people can
find out more about the garden waste collection service and home
composting.
Residents will be able to sign up for the scheme at the
roadshows or they can complete the application form which will be
included in the Council Tax bills. These are being delivered
at the start of March.
You can also download the
garden waste leaflet 
(1,716K) or
pick up a copy from the Worcestershire
Hub.
Councillor
Nathan Desmond, Wyre Forest District Council's Cabinet Member for
Resources said,
"The new service is a great way to help people keep their garden
tidy while also doing their bit for the environment. It
represents great value at £30 for 8 months of service.
We are very keen that people should home compost but sometimes
during the growing season the quantity of garden waste is
unmanageable or you end up with larger stems and branches that
don't compost well. That's where the garden waste collection
service comes into its own."
Photograph shows Councillor Nathan Desmond, Wyre Forest District
Council's Cabinet Member for Resources and Joanne Duffield, Waste
Minimisation Officer.
Date of issue - 4th March 2010
