Central Bedfordshire Council will roll out garden waste recycling bins from mid-August

Central Bedfordshire Council has announced plans to roll out garden waste bins over the coming weeks in an effort to assist residents to recycle their garden waste.

This initiative follows the council’s 2018 waste consultation, which revealed that residents were overwhelmingly supportive of recycling and wanted the option to recycle more of their garden waste.

After considering the feedback and to make it easier the council are offering residents in the North of Central Bedfordshire - including the Biggleswade area and Mid Beds - a free 240 litre garden waste bin to replace the two garden waste sacks which are currently provided.

Residents who would like to replace their sacks with a free 240 litre garden waste bin can do so by ordering one on the council’s website - www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/garden-bins.

Garden waste bins are limited to one per household. Residents are also reminded that if they take delivery of a garden waste bin, they will no longer be able to present reusable garden sacks and if they are presented, they will be removed.

Flyers will be sent to every house in the North of Central Bedfordshire starting this week, with bin delivery starting from week commencing Monday, August 17.

As soon as residents receive their bin, they can start using it.

The council have an ambition to increase recycling rates and want to do everything they can to help residents to be able to recycle more.

Cllr Ian Dalgarno, executive member for community services at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “We are really pleased to be in a position to roll-out garden bins in the North of Central Bedfordshire.

"During the current pandemic more and more people have been at home, spending time in their gardens, and having the new garden waste bins to dispose of their garden waste will be very beneficial.”

"Our new waste service means we are able to roll out better recycling services for our residents.

"This is just the first step. Food waste collections are already happening for households in the north of Central Bedfordshire and it is anticipated that we will be rolling this service out to those in the south later this year.”

“It’s clear to me that our residents care a great deal about the environment and recycling more and our consultation confirmed this, with nearly everyone (94%) saying they believed it’s important to help people recycle as much as possible.

"Whilst many people are diligent recyclers, we need to do more to improve this across Central Bedfordshire.

"With these new bins we’re making every effort to make it as easy as possible for residents to recycle as much of their waste as possible.”

Residents don't have to use a wheelie bin. They might have a small garden and don't need a full-sized bin or have anywhere to store it. That's fine, they can continue to use their garden waste sacks.

Garden waste sacks will no longer be available from the Town Council Offices or via reception at the council’s head office, Priory House. Replacement will now need to be ordered via the council’s website.