Garden waste scheme frequently asked questions

• Am I entitled to a free garden waste collection?
• Do I have to use the collection service to dispose of my garden waste?
• When will the ban on garden waste come into force?
• I do not live in a garden waste collection area, does the ban apply to me?
• I do not live in a garden waste collection area, when will the garden waste collection service be introduced in my area?
• Am I allowed additional bags to the two supplied?
• What should I do if I have more garden waste than I can fit in two bags?
• What happens if people in garden waste collection areas, put garden waste in their wheeled bins during the ban?
• What happens if I have garden waste that I need to dispose of during the winter months?
• I don’t have any bags yet, how do I get some?
• My neighbours received their bags but I was missed, what should I do?
• How do I get hold of a discounted compost bin?
• How will I know when to put my garden waste out for collection?
• How will I know what to put in my garden waste bags?
• What shouldn't I put in my garden waste bag?
• Where should I put my garden waste out for collection?
• I am elderly and/or disabled, and I cannot carry my bags to the boundary, what should I do?

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Am I entitled to a free garden waste collection?

Contact us by telephone on 01752 668000 to find out. The free collection service is currently running as a pilot scheme in about half of the city. We are looking to expand this in future years.

Do I have to use the collection service to dispose of my garden waste?

No. You can either take your waste to Chelson Meadow or Weston Mill recycling centre or compost it at home, but you will not be allowed to put it into your brown or green wheeled bins for collection.

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When will the ban on garden waste come into force?

The ban will come into force on 2 April 2007 and will last until 23 November 2007.

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I do not live in a garden waste collection area; does the ban apply to me?

No, the ban only applies to those households who receive the garden waste collection service in some wheeled bin areas of the city.

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I do not live in a garden waste collection area, when will the garden waste service be introduced in my area?

We will conduct a review of the garden waste service at the end of the year to assess whether it would be good use of council resources to extend this service to all households in the city.

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Am I allowed additional bags to the two supplied?

No. We feel that 180 litres of capacity per fortnight is sufficient for most households.

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What should I do if I have more garden waste than I can fit in two bags?

You can either take your waste to Chelson Meadow or Weston Mill recycling centre or you can compost it at home.

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What happens if people in garden waste collection areas, put garden waste in their wheeled bins during the ban?

We will make regular inspections of brown bins. Householders who are found to be putting garden waste in their brown bins will first receive more advice on how to comply with our collection policy; however, persistent offenders may be issued with a fixed penalty notice.

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What happens if I have garden waste that I need to dispose of during the winter months?

We would prefer you to take garden waste produced during the winter months to one of the recycling centres or compost it at home if at all possible. However, if this is not possible, it can be put out for collection in your brown wheeled bin or black bags until the scheme restarts in the Spring.

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I don’t have any bags yet, how do I get some?

Please give your details to one of our operators on the waste enquiry line, by phoning 01752 668000. These will be passed to the Waste Operations Team who will arrange for some bags to be delivered to you.

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My neighbours received their bags but I was missed, what should I do?

Please give your details to one of our operators on the waste enquiry line, by phoning 01752 668000. These will be passed to the Waste Operations Team who will arrange for some bags to be delivered to you.

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How do I get hold of a discounted compost bin?

Please phone 01752 304700 or email recycling@plymouth.gov.uk for further information or to order a bin.

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How will I know when to put my garden waste out for collection?

Generally, garden waste collections will take place every fortnight on the same day as your recycling collection. You will also be sent a calendar showing the days that your garden waste will be collected.

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How will I know what to put in my garden waste bags?

There is a list of acceptable materials printed on one side of the garden waste bags you will be supplied with. The following items are on the list:

• Grass cuttings
• Hedge trimmings
• Weeds
• Plants
• Twigs and branches (up to the thickness of your wrist)
• Cut flowers

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What shouldn't I put in my garden waste bag?

• Food packaging
• Vegetable peelings
• Food
• Plastic pots or trays
• Soil, bricks or rubble
• Animal waste
• General household waste and ash

Where should I put my garden waste out for collection?

All garden waste bags need to be placed out for collection at the front boundary of your property where it joins the pavement or road.

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I am elderly and/or disabled, and I cannot carry my bags to the boundary, what should I do?

We will make special arrangements for people who genuinely need help. Please give your details to the waste enquiry line on 01752 668000 and we will arrange for the collectors to pick up and return your garden waste bags from a location on your property that is convenient to you.

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