Green waste collection service to be extended (From Witney Gazette)

Green waste collection service to be extended

3:57pm Friday 10th February 2006 in Witney

A NEW green waste collection service is being promoted in West Oxfordshire.

The district council has given a fortnightly kerbside collection scheme the green light, in a bid to tackle the growing pressure on landfill sites.

The move follows a successful five-month trial of 800 homes in Long Hanborough, Witney, Freeland, North Leigh, Stonesfield, Combe, Woodstock, Eynsham, Finstock, and Charlbury.

David Harvey, the council's cabinet member for environment, said 157 tonnes of green waste had been diverted from landfill sites because of the trial.

He said: "Instead, the waste has been converted to compost, a useful product, that benefits the environmment.

"I am confident there will be a good response to the new scheme, as there is a huge commitment and enthusiasm from residents to recycle."

'There is a huge commitment and enthusiasm from residents to recycle'

David Harvey

From this week, residents will be able to apply to have their green waste collected from outside their homes.

Rob Creeber, of Combe, who took part in the trial, said he would definitely be signing up again.

He said: "I think it is a marvellous scheme. It takes away all the effort and cost of taking green waste to the tip.

"It is such a sensible and logical way to recycle and help the environment."

The year-long collection service, which starts in April using green wheelie bins, will cost homeowners £30 a year.

Once green waste is collected, it will be taken to Agrivert, at Showell Farm, Radford, and turned into compost. Mr Harvey said: "The compost made helps to replace the use of peat-based compost, therefore helping to conserve UK peat bogs and their endangered species.

"It will also divert as much waste as possible from landfill sites.

"As green waste decomposes in landfill sites, methane gas is produced as a by-product, which contributes to global warming."

Anyone interested in joining the scheme should visit www.westoxon.gov.uk, call 01993 861020 or send an e-mail to green.waste@westoxon.gov.uk