Subscriptions for garden waste service due by end of the month

Over the next two weeks, a leaflet will be delivered to 30,000 customers of the West Suffolk Garden Waste Service reminding them their subscription for the coming year is due.

David Bowman, Cabinet member for Operations at Forest Heath District Council, said: “The leaflet is a courtesy reminder at the busy start of the gardening year, not to miss a collection through omitting to sign up by 29 March. Many customers automatically renew through direct debit and we encourage others to consider this for the convenience and complete control of your subscription it gives. Those for whom we do not have an email address, have received a letter in the post.”

Last year 12,000 tonnes of good quality soil improver was produced from West Suffolk Garden Waste Collection Service, to be used on the land and in parks. The quality was down to the care taken by customers to put the right material in the bin. The leaflet carries a reminder on this as well.

Peter Stevens, Cabinet member for Operations at St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said: “Quality helps us keep down the cost of composting the waste. However, the charge for the Garden Waste Collection Service, which has been held for the past three years, needs to cover costs to ensure that it is not subsidised by people who don’t use it. We are therefore introducing a small increase, which at £43 a year, is the lowest cost in the county and still reflects very good value.”