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Press Release

16 September 2020

New garden waste collection service being considered

Plans for a new garden waste collection service, which will allow residents to dispose of a lot more green waste, will be considered at a Council meeting next week (Thursday 24 September).

In the first year the cost of the proposed service would be as little as £1.48 per week (using an early bird discount). This includes a one-off cost to purchase a new bin. In subsequent years the cost would reduce to £1.15 per week.

Residents who subscribe to the new service would have a 240 litre wheelie bin for garden waste to be collected once every two weeks. The capacity of the bin is around three times greater than the current garden waste sacks. Households would have the option to share a bin with other residents if they preferred, which would share the cost or to purchase extra bins.

As part of the plan, the current free garden waste sack collection service would end once the new service is in place. The use of plastic disposable garden waste sacks would also end which will help achieve the Council’s aim of reducing single use plastics in the Borough.

Apart from Winchester (which has now agreed to introduce a charge), Fareham is the only Hampshire local authority where residents don’t pay for garden waste collection. The proposals also ensure the Council is aligned to the Government’s National Resources and Waste Strategy.

Executive Member for Streetscene at Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Simon Martin, said:

“We understand some residents may be disappointed to lose the free garden waste service however, as we face both the financial impact of the pandemic, and the ongoing need to replace lost income, we have had to look at new ways to bring in revenue to protect our vital services.
“Garden waste collection currently costs us £336,000 per year and a recent decision by Hampshire County Council means that we will no longer benefit from the recovery of costs for material recycling, as this income, approximately £400,000, will now be retained by the County Council.
“We think the proposed new subscription service offers a good deal for gardeners and is the fairest option because only those using the service would be asked to pay. Subscribers will have the added benefit of being able to dispose of a lot more than they can using the garden waste sacks.
“For those not wanting to pay there is the alternative of using their local free Household Waste Recycling Centre or buying a composter, which is available for £19 from Hampshire County Council.”

The Streetscene Scrutiny Panel will meet to discuss the plans on September 24th. The proposals will then go before the Council’s Executive Committee for a decision on October 12.

ENDS