Leaves

New Forest District Council is urging households to use the council's garden waste scheme during autumn to turn leaves into organic soil improver which is good for the environment.

The scheme collects green garden waste such as weeds and hedge trimmings every fortnight using 110 litre, heavy duty, re-useable bags.  The waste is taken to a composting centre, where it is made into peat-free compost.

Since the scheme was set up in March 2005 it has collected 600 tonnes of green waste from households across the south and west of the district.  Households in other areas of the Forest such as Totton, Hythe and Dibden will be able to join from April next year.

Residents can obtain the bags for £25 for 12 months.  Additional bags can be purchased for £15.

Cllr Michael Thierry, portfolio holder for the environment at NFDC, said the scheme benefits both residents and the environment.

"By recycling our rubbish, we are helping to reduce the amount that goes to landfill," he said.

"This scheme is good for the environment because all the garden waste we collect is made into soil conditioner. With this scheme you can do a spot of gardening and place the waste in the re-usable bags."

With more and more New Forest residents appreciating the benefits of recycling, New Forest District Council has teamed up with Blackwall and the Waste Resources Action Programme to provide householders with home composters, for recycling fruit and vegetable peelings and other organic matter. 

Residents can now buy home composters directly from Blackwall for just £5 each, including delivery.  There is a limit of two home composters per household and composters can be purchased without joining the garden waste scheme.

Details of how to join the scheme can be obtained by calling NFDC's customer services on 01590 646123.  To order a home computer direct from Blackwall, residents can call 0845 073 2002, quoting 'New Forest District Council Scheme'.