City residents are urged to sign up for garden waste collections

RESIDENTS have been warned they need to sign up for paid-for garden waste collections in Coventry.

It was announced earlier this year that people would be charged a yearly fee of £40.

Anyone who chooses to opt-in for the citywide service will receive a sticker for their bin to show that they are part of the scheme, says Coventry City Council. Collections will start from Monday, June 3 - but those who don’t pay won’t get it.

Payments can be made online, over the phone or in person using cash, cheque or card at the Customer Service Centre in Upper Precinct. Stickers will be delivered within 5 to 10 working days of the subscription being paid for, it is understood.

Bins will be emptied fortnightly, but there will be a pause in collections each year over Christmas. Coventry City Council said they will not be collecting those that are ‘too heavy or have the incorrect types of waste in.’

What can I put in my brown-lidded bin?

Food Waste

Flowers

Twigs and Bark

Leaves

Plants

Weeds

Shrub and Hedge Clippings Grass Cuttings

Residents who decide against their brown-lidded bin being collected will be able to return their existing bins, says Coventry City Council.

Instead, they have been asked to take their garden waste to the Recycling and Disposal Centre off London Road.

Bosses at Coventry City Council announced that they would be charging for waste collections as part of plans to curb spending at a time when they say they are facing ‘serious funding pressures.’

Spending will this year likely exceed £867.8m.

A spokesman for Coventry City Council said: “You can now apply and pay for the annual £40 charge for your brown-lidded bin collection permit online, over the phone or in person at the Customer Service Centre in Upper Precinct.

“Sign up through our website at: https://orlo.uk/iqwjo, call 0808 5834 333 or pay in person using cash, cheque or card at the Customer Service Centre in Upper Precinct.”