Hundreds sign up for garden waste collection scheme in time for first collection of the year

Over 1,000 residents have now signed up to this year’s garden waste collection scheme.

The fortnightly collection runs from March to November and allows people to recycle grass cuttings, leaves, plants, twigs, small branches and hedge clippings.

It was announced in October last year that the collection would be charged at £35 for the year. So far around 1,500 residents have signed up to receive the scheme.

Anyone looking to join them should apply by the end of the month. Applying online is the fastest and easiest way to sign up, click here

Alternatively people can return the direct debit form by January 31 or call 01706 217777 to pay by card over the phone (residents can still register after this date but aren’t guaranteed to receive the service from the first collection in early March).

Councillor Jackie Oakes, Portfolio Holder for Operations, said:

I’m pleased that so many people have decided to sign up to the garden waste scheme and clearly value this useful service.

While charging for green waste collection is not an ideal situation we unfortunately cannot continue to provide this collection for free. The subscription fee allows us to continue to run it for those that want it.

I would urge people who would like to receive it from March when it starts, to contact us now to register.

The move to bring in the charge was the result of cuts by central government and the decision by Lancashire County Council to reduce its support for recycling services by more than £550,000.

Rossendale Borough Council had been one of the last councils in Lancashire to provide a free garden waste collection service.

However, garden waste collection is non-statutory service and costs the Council £130,000 a year with extra resources having to be put into it at times to maintain the service.

Therefore in order to continue provide the collection a cross party working group agreed that a charge needed to be introduced.

There is a reduced charge of £30 for additional bins and charities and communities groups are exempt.

Households are also able to share bins or find alternative ways to dispose of garden waste by composting.