New Forest District Council unveils new garden waste wheelie bin ahead of scheme beginning in April 2024

New garden waste wheelie bins have been unveiled by New Forest District Council as it encourages residents to sign up to its new collection service.

As reported in the A&T, the controversial plan to introduce a new waste management system, partly to combat below average recycling rates, will come into force in 2025.

However, the garden waste collection will begin from next year – a move which will see wheelie bins introduced in place of reusable bags.

The black-and-brown bin has a 240-litre capacity and will be collected fortnightly for 12 months for a fee of £65.

There is also a one-off charge of £25 per bin.

The council’s cabinet member for environment and sustainability, Cllr Geoffrey Blunden, said: “We are pleased to be moving forwards with changes to the garden waste collection service, which I believe will result in a modern, safe, and more efficient service for both residents and staff.

“I would like to thank all our garden waste customers who support us to recycle around 5,000 tonnes of garden waste every year.

“There are options for residents who are keen to recycle garden waste, from our charged-for collection service, to composting at home or taking garden waste to Hampshire County Council’s tips.”

Residents who sign up before 24th November will save £25 and are guaranteed to have their bin delivered between January and March 2024, in time for the start of the new service.

Regardless of when residents join the service during the year, they will receive 12 months of garden waste collections, and households can apply for up to five bins.

Current garden waste customers who would like to receive collections from April 2024 will need to sign up to the new service as it will not automatically transfer.

The bags currently used for the service will not be collected from 1st April.