Garden waste scheme re-launched (From Witney Gazette)

Garden waste scheme re-launched

2:58pm Tuesday 13th March 2007 in Witney By Tim Hughes

HOUSEHOLDERS in West Oxfordshire are being encouraged to sign up to an eco-friendly scheme to have their garden waste collected and recycled, instead of landfilled.

West Oxfordshire District Council is re-launching its Green Waste Scheme next month, following its successful introduction last year.

Between April and December 2006, 2,750 householders signed up to have their garden waste collected from their doorsteps. This resulted in 880 tonnes of green waste being recycled into compost, and diverted from landfill.

This year's, Green Waste Scheme will be available for up to 4,000 residents across the district, at a cost of £30 per household for the year. In return for their £30, householders will receive a green-lidded wheelie bin.

Their waste will be picked up fortnightly until April 2008. All the waste will then be taken to Agrivert, at Radford, near Chipping Norton, and turned into compost.

As an incentive, each resident who signs up to the scheme before Friday this week will be entered into a free prize draw, to win one of five £30 garden centre vouchers.

David Harvey, the council's cabinet member for environment, said it was important for people to recycle their green waste as it eased the pressure on landfill sites and cut the risk of pollution.

He said: "The launch of the scheme last year has already meant hundreds of tonnes of this waste being diverted from landfill and put to good use, instead of creating a risk of pollution.

"I hope those residents who took part last year will re-subscribe, and that we can encourage others to do the same. As well as helping the environment, the scheme offers a convenient, easy way for people to get rid of their waste."

People can join the scheme and make their payment by logging on to www.westoxon.gov.uk Alternatively, they can call 01993 861020 to pay by debit or credit card, request an application form by post, or e-mail green.waste@westoxon.gov.uk * Items that can go into green waste bins include hedge clippings, twigs and small branches, flowers and plants, grass-cuttings, leaves, shrub prunings, vegetable waste from the garden (such as potato tops), bark and wood shavings, hay and straw.