Composting garden waste
Instead of burning garden waste or putting raw vegetable waste in the dustbin, where it will end up buried or incinerated, invest in a compost bin. The composted waste will produce a useful soil conditioner, saving money on commercial products.
Bulky vegetation can be shredded to make it suitable for composting or mulching. Shredders can be bought or hired and some allotment societies have their own. But bear in mind that shredders can be noisy, so be careful not to replace one nuisance with another.
Green waste collection service
The council offers a green waste collection service. Customers are provided with a large, hard-wearing, reusable sack for the collection of their green garden waste. This includes grass cuttings, cut flowers, hedge clippings, weeds, leaves, twigs, prunings and fruit fall. This is collected fortnightly during the peak growing season from mid-March to the beginning of November. There is a charge for this service. Further details can be found on the council’s website (www.basingstoke.gov.uk) or by phoning 01256 844844.
Waste Recycling Centre
Alternatively, green garden waste can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre at Wade Road Basingstoke. It will be composted into a soil conditioner, which can be purchased. For further information and small orders visit www.pro-grow.co.uk or to place a bulk order contact the Pro-Grow ordering line on 01962 764068. For further advice on where you can dispose of household waste phone Hampshire County Council on 01962 847021.
