Bristol City Council and waste management company, May Gurney have joined forces to give away up to 1,000 free green garden waste bins next week, in a push to boost garden waste recycling rates.
The bins, which normally cost £21, will be given away by the council on a first-come, first-served basis, starting on Monday, 1 October and running to Friday, 5 October (or whenever the limit is reached).
Those who receive a bin will need to sign up by direct debit to the garden waste collection service, which costs £29 per annum.
New subscribers to the garden waste scheme will also be given a free food waste caddy, a food recycling bin and a pack of corn starch liners to encourage food waste recycling.
The ‘major one-off opportunity’ is being rolled out to take advantage of the beginning of the autumnal season, which is traditionally a busy time for gardeners.
“Boosting garden waste recycling means less waste goes to landfill which is good for the environment and saves council tax payers money in the long run”, said Bristol Councillor Gary Hopkins, Cabinet Member responsible for waste services.
“Our green waste service is not only highly effective it is very good value for money for the subscriber and the council tax payer”, said Cllr Hopkins, who went on to encourage residents to also take advantage of the weekly food waste collections.
"Bristolians are really rising the challenge to recycling, as they realise the more we recycle the cheaper it is for the tax payer and the better is for the future of our environment”, he added.
According to the council, Bristol residents recycled 50 per cent of their waste between April and June 2012, up from 39 per cent the year before.
Claire Pring, Contract Manager for May Gurney, said: “We are really pleased to be working closely with Bristol City Council in the great garden bin and food caddy giveaway.
“Collecting food waste separately and recycling it ensures that it no longer ends up in landfill, but instead is composted and turned into fertiliser which is good for the environment. Residents also benefit further from a weekly food caddy collection service.”
All food waste collected by May Gurney is sent for composting at New Earth Solutions' Sharpness site in Gloucestershire.
Residents can get the free bin and sign up for the garden waste collection scheme by ringing 0117 352 5930 between 9am and 5pm, starting on Monday, 1 October.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
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