LOOSEN UP GARDEN WASTE!

Erewash residents are being urged to check their brown bins ahead of the restart of garden waste collections next week, with the borough council offering advice to help smooth the resumption following a six-week suspension.

Many householders will have had garden cuttings inside their bins for several weeks and the waste, by now, is likely to be compacted – meaning it may not empty out into the refuse vehicle. Residents are asked to use a garden fork to loosen the waste, particularly at the bottom of the bin, before putting it out for collection. If a bin is unable to be emptied, refuse crews will attach a yellow tag to the handle of the bin to explain the reason. Residents can help ensure this does not happen by taking the following precautions: 

          ·  Do not contaminate the brown bin. It is for garden waste only and must not contain              items  like food, recycling or black bin waste.

If the bin is too heavy it won’t be emptied. This will only apply if the lift on the refuse collection vehicle is unable to lift the bin. 
·  Only use a brown bin for garden waste. Any other bin with garden waste in will not be emptied.
·    Please note that additional side waste such as bagged garden waste cannot be collected.

Residents are also reminded to ensure their bin is out by 7am on their collection day. If a bin is not out and this is recorded by the crew, the council is not able to return to empty it until the next scheduled collection day. Councillor Garry Hickton, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, says:

“We thank everyone for the support they have shown for our dedicated refuse crews who have carried out their frontline duties under very difficult circumstances. I know residents have welcomed the news that we are resuming garden waste collections next week, albeit for an initial four-week run as we review the impact on an already stretched service. Please follow the advice we’re giving to ensure that brown bin collections go as smoothly as possible. Thank you to all for your understanding.”

Brown bins will be emptied alongside recyclable waste in the Long Eaton and south area week beginning 11th May and then in Ilkeston and north of the borough week starting 18th May, with repeat collections from 25th May and 1st June.