Garden waste collections resume but wrong things are being put in bins
Higher than usual levels of other rubbish reported by crews
GARDEN waste collections have resumed across the borough but some residents are putting the wrong things in their brown bins.
The service started again on April 27 after more than a month out of action but bin crews have found that many unsuitable items are being thrown out together with the soil and trimmings.
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council said in a post on Facebook: “We know you are all really pleased that the garden waste service has resumed however can we please ask you not to put rubbish in your garden waste bin.
“The crews are reporting higher than usual levels of rubbish in garden waste bins.
“Our crews sifted the equivalent of three wheelie bins full of plastic plant pots, coat hangers, plastic and glass bottles, plastic bags and other household rubbish from one single lorry load of garden waste today [April 29] which takes a lot of time and makes it very difficult for them to complete their rounds.”
The lorries are emptied at a farm in Aston Flamville where any unwanted items are removed and the remaining organic matter is chopped up so it can compost and be spread on the fields.
Items that can go out with garden waste include:
■ Grass cuttings
■ Flowers and plants
■ Hedge clippings and tree prunings
■ Leaves and bark
■ Twigs and small branches
■ Annual weeds
The council said in the Facebook post: “Please help us deliver this service to everyone by ensuring your brown [wheelie] only contains compostable items.
“Remember, if your bin is contaminated with rubbish we can’t empty it.”
Subscribers are asked to present their bins before 7am on their usual garden waste collection day.
This is particularly important during the catch up period during May, as crews will not be able to return for any missed collections.
The amount of waste being collected has increased by up to 30 per cent, says the council.