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Garden Waste FAQs
Garden Waste FAQs
1. How can I dispose of my garden waste
2. Why do I have to pay for my garden waste to be collected
3. Will there be reductions if I join the scheme for part of the year?
6. How often will my garden waste be collected?
7. What is the size of the wheelie bin can I get a smaller/larger wheelie bin?
8. When will I receive my bin/bag?
9. Where can I leave my garden waste for collection?
10. Will garden waste not presented in the bag/bin be collected?
11. Can I share a bin with my neighbour?
13. What I can I put in my garden waste wheelie bin/bags?
14. Will I get a refund if I opt out or choose not to use the service anymore?
15. What if I move out of the Borough having signed up to the scheme?
16. What if I move to another part of RBK?
17. What happens to my garden waste?
1. How can I dispose of my garden waste
You can dispose of your garden waste in a number of ways
•Composting
The most environmentally friendly method of disposing of green garden waste is to home compost it. RBK has put in place a special purchase scheme for a range of compost bins at a reduced price inclusive of home delivery. Further details can be found on the Council's here http://www.kingston.getcomposting.com/.
•Household reuse and recycling centre
You can take your garden waste free of charge to the household Reuse and Recycling Centre (HRRC) at Villiers Road Kingston.
•Kerbside collection service
If you are unable to compost or take your garden waste down to the Household reuse and recycling centre, Kingston Council offers a chargeable kerbside collection service
2. Why do I have to pay for my garden waste to be collected
Not every home has a garden; so it is not fair to ask every household to subsidise an additional service that is only of benefit to some. In addition, a free service may discourage residents from home composting, which is more beneficialto the environment.
This service is provided by our contractors Veolia Environmental Services; they have provided a cost to run the collection scheme and the council will pay for the cost of the treatment of the waste once it has been collected.
3. Will there be reductions if I join the scheme for part of the year?
Yes, if you join the service part-way through the year there will be a reduced rate of £45 per wheelie bin (£38 concessions) . This will be available from 1 October 2011.
| Option | Container | Collection | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheelie bin (240 Litre) |
Emptied every two weeks on the same day as your landfill waste (no collections Christmas and New Year) |
£69 per wheelie bin (max.three) (£59 for concessions) |
| 2 | Wheelie bin (Re-subscription) |
As above (only applicable to current bin subscribers) |
£53 per wheelie bin (max. three) (£43 for concessions) |
| 3 |
Bio-degradable bags (sold in rolls of 10) |
Emptied every two weeks on the same day as your landfill waste |
£25 per roll of 10 bags (£22 for concessions) |
The concessionary rate is applied for residents aged 60 and over.
You can join by:
•Online - use the online subscription form, all you need are your debit/credit card details:
•By Telephone – telephone 0208 547 5002. Our customer service team will discuss the options and take payments by debit/credit card.
•At Council Offices – you can make payment over the counter at GH2 reception with a cheque, credit or debit cards. If paying by cheque, please make it payable to Royal Borough of Kingston.
Please note the charge is non-refundable.
6. How often will my garden waste be collected?
Your garden waste will be collected once every fortnight on your landfill waste collection day.
7. What is the size of the wheelie bin can I get a smaller/larger wheelie bin?
The garden waste bins have a capacity of 240 litres. This is the same as the “extra large” refuse bin. This is the only size available for the garden waste collection service.
8. When will I receive my bin/bag?
Upon subscription your garden waste biodegradable bag/ green lidded wheelie bin will be delivered within 7 - 10 working days.
9. Where can I leave my garden waste for collection?
Please make sure that your garden waste bin/biodegradable bags are placed in a location clearly visible from the road by 7am on your collection day.
10. Will garden waste not presented in the bag/bin be collected?
No – only garden waste presented in the bins/biodegradable bags will be collected. You can compost or take any excess waste to the Household reuse and recycling centre HRRC.
11. Can I share a bin with my neighbour?
Yes. As long as your wheelie bin is registered to just one property, there is nothing stopping you from sharing it with a neighbour. This might be a good idea if you only produce a small amount of garden waste but would like the convenience of a wheelie bin rather than the biodegradable garden waste bags.
12. I currently receive assistance with my landfill and recycling collection; will I get the same service for my garden waste bin/bags
If you receive an assisted collection for your refuse and would like the same help with your garden waste bin, please let us know.
13. What I can I put in my garden waste wheelie bin/bags
Only put the items listed in your bin. If in doubt, don’t put it in and phone our Customer Services helpline on 0208 547 5560 for advice.
14. Will I get a refund if I opt out or choose not to use the service anymore?
We regret refunds will not be issued.
15. What if I move out of the Borough having signed up to the scheme?
Unfortunately, we cannot provide refunds. We suggest that you sell the remainder of the service cost to the new occupant.
16. What if I move to another part of RBK?
No problem! Just take your garden waste bin or sacks with you and let us know your new address and you'll continue to receive the service. Try to let us know as soon as possible about when you want the collection to start from your new address.
17. What happens to my garden waste?
All garden waste is sent to an industrial composting facility in Sutton where it is shredded and put into special tunnels. The air circulation in these tunnels can be controlled to create the optimum conditions for composting. The material is then transferred to a maturation pad for the final stage of composting. The whole process takes about eight weeks and produces a high quality compost product that can be applied to a wide variety of horticultural and agricultural uses.
Please note that the green lidded wheelie bins remain the property of Kingston Council and will be reclaimed if you no longer pay for the green garden waste collection service.