Witney News - Householders go green for waste collection scheme

Householders go green for waste collection scheme

More than 600 tonnes of green waste from West Oxfordshire households has been composted instead of landfilled since the launch of a new District Council scheme six months ago.

More than 2,500 households have signed up to the Green Waste Scheme to benefit from fortnightly green waste collections and help divert their waste from landfill sites.

The scheme, which includes hire of a 240 litre wheeled bin, was launched in April following a successful trial in the District last year. Householders who joined at the beginning paid £30, which covered the cost of hiring the bin and fortnightly collections. It is still possible for people to sign up for the six remaining months of the scheme. The cost for anyone joining in October is £21.

Collected waste is taken to Agrivert at Showell Farm, Radcot, where it is turned into compost. This reduces the need for peat-based compost and helps conserve UK peat bogs and their endangered species, as well as cutting the amount of waste going to landfill. This is particularly important because, as it decomposes, green waste breaks down to form leachate, a toxic liquid that can pollute water and soil, and methane gas, which contributes to global warming.

Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Environment, said the scheme had so far been a great success and encouraged other householders to give it a try.

He said: "We are all responsible for cutting waste and reducing the pressure on landfill sites, so it is wonderful that so many tonnes of green waste have been recycled into a useful product like compost.
"With the autumn leaves falling, it is a good time for people to sign up and make the most of this service, while helping the environment."

Anyone wishing to sign up can do so online at www.westoxon.gov.uk, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 01993 861020.