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News

Garden Waste Scheme A Blooming Success

Over 128 tonnes of green waste was recycled last week, equivalent to the weight of 28 elephants*, as the first phase of the garden waste recycling scheme got underway in 12,000 households across the Borough.

Such has been the success of the scheme, and the recycling campaign overall, that over a thousand properties have swapped over their refuse and recycling bins in the last month and now have a larger blue bin and a small black bin, disposing of more recyclable material than ever before.

The launch of the green waste recycling scheme also coincides with the news that the Borough of Poole has exceeded the Government's statutory recycling target of 30%.

Whilst some residents do take their green waste to the Nuffield Household Waste Recycling Centre, more often than not garden rubbish goes into the black refuse bin.  When this organic waste is sent to landfill it is unable to decompose properly due to a lack of air caused by being trapped under other waste.  As a result the waste breaks down and produces a black slime called leachate which, if it escapes from the landfill site, can pollute rivers and streams.  In addition, methane, a green house gas, is also produced damaging the earth's atmosphere.

Using the green bin instead of the black bin means that grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, cut flowers and general garden waste will all be converted into compost.  This compost can then be re-introduced into gardens helping to improve the texture, drainage and aeration of soil. 

Home composting is another important way to divert garden and kitchen waste from landfill and can be used in conjunction with the green bin or on its own for homeowners to re-use on their own gardens.  Subsidised compost bins are available through the Council.

Councillor Don Collier, portfolio holder for the Environment said: "We would like to thank all those participating households for fully embracing this new initiative and are delighted at the results of the first week of the garden waste scheme. Garden waste is no different to any other recyclable rubbish and should not go to landfill so the success so far has been extremely encouraging. Our recycling campaign across the Borough continues to go from strength to strength which is reflected in us successfully surpassing the tough statutory recycling targets set by the Government. We congratulate residents and urge all of them to keep up the good work".  

The first phase of the kerbside garden waste recycling scheme was introduced to properties in Hamworthy, Merley, Penn Hill, Broadstone, Creekmoor, Parkstone and Canford Cliffs.  Residents who are already home composting and have no need for a kerbside garden waste scheme can opt out. 

The garden waste is collected through an afternoon and evening service as a result of 'double shifting' the refuse trucks which means that the refuse is collected in the morning and the vehicle is then used again in the afternoon by the garden waste crew.  This first phase of the scheme will run until November.

Those areas not receiving the garden waste scheme will benefit from the mobile collection schemes running in two locations within the Borough, in addition to the Nuffield site. Residents will be able to visit designated sites at the weekend to dispose of their garden waste. Further information on the dates and times of these sites will be published in the local newspapers and on boroughofpoole.com.

Those residents wishing to swap over their bins to accommodate more recyclable waste or who wish to purchase a home composter please call Environment and Consumer Protection Services on 01202 261700.

An exhibition unit will be out in a number of locations promoting recycling and home composting in various locations in the Borough throughout the Summer. 

Rachel Holt, Recycling Officer, Environment & Consumer Protection Services, Borough of Poole, 01202 261702