Garden waste kerbside collections stopping for winter

12th November 2014

As winter approaches householders are reminded that Garden Waste Collections will cease for a period of 3 months from the end of November. There will be no brown bin collections in December, January or February. The final collection day of 2014 will be Friday 28th November and collections will begin again on Monday 2nd March 2015.

Councillor Graham MacKenzie, Chair of The Highland Council's Community Services Committee, also made a plea to householders not to use their brown bin for general waste over winter: He said: "This year when the service resumed in March there was a particularly high level of contamination in the first bins lifted with general waste sometimes concealed beneath a layer of garden waste. All compostable material collected by local authorities must meet a specific quality standard which ensures the compost is suitable for its intended use. Recent changes to the standard mean that testing for items such as stones and plastic have become more stringent."

Councillor MacKenzie went on to say: "Approximately 10,000 tonnes of garden waste was collected in brown bins last year making a very significant contribution to the Council's landfill diversion."

Over the winter period householders with garden material to dispose of are encouraged make use of the garden waste skip at their local Recycling Centre. Visit www.highland.gov.uk/recycle to check availability or call 01349 886603.

Another option is to compost at home. Compostable material put in a general refuse bin will end up buried in a landfill site where it will rot without air, creating methane, a potent and damaging greenhouse gas.

By composting at home you can also produce your own nutrient rich compost to improve the quality of your soil and help your garden flourish naturally without having to buy in compost or use chemical fertilizers.

When composting at home you can also include raw kitchen waste such as fruit and vegetables peeling, teabags and coffee grinds. Some paper and cardboard can also be incorporated - shredded paper, egg boxes and toilet roll tubes are ideal as they lighten the mix letting air in thus aiding aerobic decomposition. For more information on composting at home visit http://www.recycleforscotland.com/reduce/home-composting

Councillor MacKenzie added: “If you are looking for a slightly different Christmas present for a friend or family member why not get them a compost bin - and a book on composting!”

For more information on the garden waste collection service, details of what can and can’t go in the brown bin and to view your collection dates or download a calendar go to www.highland.gov.uk/recycle