New garden waste service for Gloucester residents
From 1st March, residents across the city can join a new optional garden waste service.
This revised service replaces the previous garden waste kerbside collection service, which was only available in some areas of the city.
Information leaflets explaining the new service will be delivered to households in March.
Steve Morgan, cabinet member for the environment, Gloucester City Council said: “Residents have told the council their garden waste collection is important to them and they would prefer to receive a similar or improved service for a small fee, rather than a change to the service provided. During recent consultation 67 per cent said they were happy to pay a small charge to receive the service.
“The new service is completely optional and residents can still take their garden waste to the recycling centre at Hempsted, or preferably compost it at home.”
The new fortnightly service begins 4th April and is available for £36 a year, payable annually in advance. Those residents who sign up early for the service will receive up to six months free.
Residents who opt into the new service will be issued with a sticker for their existing bin, and those who are not currently receiving a garden waste collection will receive a new 240 litre green wheeled bin.
“With the introduction of the food waste service we have further reduced the amount we send to landfill, by signining up residents can help to reduce this further.
“The cost of continuing to provide some households in the city with the wheeled green waste bin is just too expensive for the council tax payer when we are forced to make huge savings elsewhere. We feel this is a much fairer system which will see a small charge to those residents who want it.
“We will be removing garden waste bins from those properties who do not wish to opt in to the service, but we ask residents to be patient during this time. If you would like to request removal of your green bin please contact customer services on 01452 396396 or email heretohelp@gloucester.gov.uk, or you may wish to keep your bin for storage.” Added councillor Morgan.
Residents can sign up for the service online and pay by credit or debit card, or over the phone on 01452 396396.