Garden waste collections resume for 2021

Existing customers will receive information next week (from March 8) on how to renew for 2021.

But new customers are able to sign up now via the Newcastle City Council website, at www.newcastle.gov.uk/gardenwaste, with the service priced at £40 per bin for up to 20 collections.

Cllr John Paul Stephenson, cabinet member for environment and regulatory services said: “We appreciate the efforts of everyone who signs up for our garden waste service, as it helps our city to recycle more, cuts our carbon footprint and, in the process, supports our efforts to make our communities look more beautiful.

“As it was in 2020, when more than 23,200 households signed up, for £40 you can receive up to 20 collections from March until December.

“The trimmings, cuttings, prunings, leaves and weeds that you then put in your brown bin are taken to our local composting facility at Sandhills, near Walbottle, to be recycled and turned into high quality soil conditioner.

“That is then used on gardens around Newcastle, and aids our neighbourhood teams as they create beautiful public floral displays, of which local families are so rightly proud.”

What can you put in your brown garden waste bin?

To help you keep a tidy garden your brown bin garden waste collection will accept all your garden trimmings, cuttings, prunings, leaves and weeds.

However, you should not use it for branches, logs, or roots more than 10cm (4 inches) in diameter; Japanese Knotweed; turf or soil; clay; stones and rubble; plant pots; animal waste; straw and hay pet bedding; food waste; compostable films, plastics or items like cutlery and plates; or anything in black bags or plastic bags.

What if I have a brown bin I no longer want?

Please phone 0191 2787878 and ask for "Envirocall" to request collection of an unwanted, empty brown bin.

Composting at home

As well as garden waste collections the council also continues to encourage residents to compost softer garden waste, some uncoated paper and cardboard, and food waste such as fruit and vegetable peelings, rather than putting them into their household rubbish bin.

Around 20 per cent of the contents of an average green general waste wheelie bin is material that could be composted at home – that includes egg shells, cut flowers, coffee grounds and filters, old newspapers, tea and tea bags, hair (from pets and your own hair brush), toothpicks, and even matches.

To help families to compost, the council continues to offer subsidised compost bins through the getcomposting.com website.

More advice and information on reducing your food waste can be found at www.newcastle.gov.uk/foodwaste