WC hikes up cost of garden waste collection

You need to renew your garden waste collection subscription by 15 June if you want to continue receiving the service.

Existing customers receive a reference number by email or post. They can use this number to renew their subscription online or by phone.

Residents can sign up any time during the year, but those already receiving the service should make sure they renew by 15 June to avoid any interruption.

Existing customers can sign up using their unique reference number at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/gardenwaste or by calling 0300 456 0103.

New customers can sign up to the service by visiting the website or calling in.

The cost has escalated way more than inflation to £48 per bin for the year. Once someone has renewed their subscription they will be sent a new sticker.

Responsible cabinet member Bridget Wayman said: "As we move into the months when we produce the most garden waste, I'd like to remind our garden waste customers to make sure they have signed up for next year's collection service in good time. There was a good take up of the service last year, and we encourage residents to sign up, so garden waste can be collected and composted locally."

From April 2017 to February 2018 more than 28,000 tonnes of garden waste were collected from over 82,000 households.

The charge generates an income of around £3.9 million.

All garden waste is composted locally with people encouraged to put bark, grass cuttings, cut flowers, weeds, leaves, hedge clippings, twigs and small branches in the bins.

The bins cannot be used for fruit and vegetable peelings, food waste, cardboard, paper, soil and rubble or pet litter and animal waste.

A full waste collection calendar is available at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/rubbish-collection-days.

It may take up to three weeks from renewing a subscription to receiving a bin sticker. Crews need to see these stickers to show the service has been paid for.

Garden waste bins are emptied fortnightly except for two weeks over Christmas and New Year.

Other options for composting are available if you don't have room for a garden waste bin. See www.wiltshire.gov.uk/rubbish-and-recycling or call 0300 456 0102.