Customers will receive fortnightly collections and they will
either be on ‘Blue Week’ or ‘Orange Week.'
From March until early December, there will be 19 collections so the sooner you sign up to the service, the more collections you will receive.
Q. When will collections commence?
A. If you are on the BLUE week, 22 March 2008 and fortnightly thereafter. If you are on the ORANGE week, 29 March 2008 and fortnightly thereafter for a total of 19 collections. If you sign up after the start of the service we will try to have your sack delivered within four working days of receiving your application and the commencement of your collection will be dependent upon which coloured week you are on.
Q. When will the last collection be for the year?
A. If you are on the BLUE collection week it will be 29 November 2008. If you are on the
ORANGE collection week it will be 6 December 2008.
Q. How will I know which collection week I am on?
A. We will send customers this information with their sack(s). Returning customers reusing their existing sacks will be notified by post of their collection days.
Q. How much should I put in my sack?
A. As a rule of thumb, if you cannot lift the sack, we can’t lift it. Look after both your safety and our collection crew’s safety. If you overload your sack it may not be collected.
Q. How big is the sack?
A. Each sack is 60cm x 45cm x 45cm and has a 120(ltr) capacity. So your first two sacks will provide a capacity equal to that of the larger 240(ltr) refuse bin.
Q. I am a Pensioner/Receive benefits, are there any concessions?
A. No. There are no concessions.
Q. What if I subscribe to the scheme and then move house or out of the borough, am I entitled to a refund?
A. If you move house within the borough you may take your sack with you and continue with the service, but you will need to advise the council of your new address, also your collection day may change. If you move out of the borough there will be no refund.
Q. My sack was missed on my collection day, what do I need to do?
A. Missed sacks reported on freephone 0800 633 5825 by 5pm on the Monday following your collection day will be collected on the subsequent Wednesday. Please leave your sack out ready for collection.
Q. What if I lose my sack, will I receive a replacement?
A. Please look after your garden waste sack and take it in after collection. If you lose your sack a new sack can be purchased for £10. Call the council to inform us and a new sack will be delivered before your next collection date is due.
Q. What if my sack is stolen, do I need to pay for a replacement?
A. This has not been a significant problem in this area. If your sack does go missing and is not recovered, it can be replaced at a cost of £10.00.
Q. My sack has been damaged by the Contractor. Can I have a replacement?
A. We will arrange for a replacement sack in exchange for the damaged sack at no cost.
Q. I have damaged my sack. Can I have a replacement?
A. Please look after your garden waste sack, and take it in after collection. A replacement sack can be supplied at a cost of £10
Q. I am unable to leave my sack at the edge of my property, where shall I leave it?
A. Please leave it where you normally leave your refuse/recycling bin for collection.
Q. What are the maximum number of sacks I am allowed?
A. There is no limit.
Q. Why can't I put fruit and vegetable peelings in the sack? Can't they be composted?
A. Unfortunately, since the Foot and Mouth crisis, there are strict conditions on large scale composting sites. As a result, we can only accept garden waste for composting. However, you can still compost fruit and vegetable peelings at home.
Q. I would like to have a home compost bin as well as join the green garden waste collection service. What can I do?
A. Cut-price home compost bins are available from as little as £8 including delivery. For more information regarding home compost bins please click here
Q. What about pine needles, pine cones, acorns, pernicious weeds and other garden waste which is difficult or inadvisable to compost at home?
A .The large scale composting process can cope with all these "difficult" materials. All the garden waste is shredded on arrival at the site to speed up decomposition and checks are made to ensure that all material reaches a minimum temperature of 68°C for at least three days. This kills all weed seeds and pathogens and ensures the finished compost is sterilised.
Q. Can I put 'biodegradable' or 'compostable' plastics in the sack?
A. No. Manufacturers and retailers may claim that this type of packaging can be recycled or composted, but we are unable to accept them due to the strict conditions placed upon us following the Foot and Mouth crisis. Please place all non-recyclable plastic packaging in your black rubbish bin.
Q. Won't empty sacks blow around on windy days?
A. This is a risk if the weather is very windy. The crew will do their best to tuck the bag behind hedges and garden walls etc. if they can, but if you leave a brick or other heavy object next to the bag, we will weigh the bag down after emptying it.
Q. How can I sign up to the collection service?
A. You can sign up online using the link below or call the council on 01256 844844.
If you have any further questions please e-mail us on greenwaste@basingstoke.gov.uk