Green garden waste trial to start
Next month a trial scheme for a new green garden waste collection service starts in West Oxfordshire.
The trial consists of a chargeable wheeled bin service which residents can subscribe to and have their garden waste collected from their homes. It is taking place in: Long Hanborough, West Witney, Freeland, North Leigh, Stonesfield, Combe, Woodstock, Eynsham, Finstock and Charlbury.
“We are doing this following the results from a recent consultation which told us that the majority of West Oxfordshire householders would like a green garden waste collection from their homes”, says Cllr David Harvey , Cabinet Member for Environment. “It can be difficult and time consuming taking garden waste to the tip, and this service will make recycling easier and more convenient.”
The trial scheme starts at the end of June and runs until early December 2005. If it is a success the Council will consider a further green waste collection scheme. Taking part in the trial will cost £17 which includes fortnightly collections and the hire of a 240 litre size wheeled bin.
Once garden waste has been collected it is taken to Worton Farm in Cassington where it is recycled into compost. Compost collected helps to replace the use of peat based compost thus helping to conserve UK peat bogs and their endangered species. It will also divert as much waste as possible from landfill sites. As garden waste decomposes in a landfill site methane gas is produced as a by-product, and this contributes to global warming.
Cllr Harvey goes on to say, “Using this new service will help to turn green waste into a useful product that benefits the environment. It will help with the drive to further increase recycling rates too. Last year the introduction of a weekly recycling collection and an additional black box for each household led to a dramatic increase in recycling. It is obvious that there is a huge commitment and enthusiasm from residents for this.”
West Oxfordshire District Council press release
Richard Fairhurst · Tue 5 Jul 2005, 00:00 · Link