Nearly 2,000 local residents have signed up for a new garden waste recycling service in Calderdale, which began this weekend (9 April).

West Yorkshire’s Calderdale Council, in partnership with waste contractor SUEZ, is offering the opt-in service for people who would like their garden waste collected from home, using a green wheelie bin.

The fortnightly collections, which operate from March to November, cost £40 per year, and households that sign up by 30 April will be entered into a prize draw.

Most general garden waste products can be collected including grass cuttings, leaves, hedge trimmings, pot plants and small branches. The service does not include plant pots, soil, rubble, invasive weeds or any other garden equipment.

According to the council website, there are slight delays in delivering the wheelie bins out to households due to the high demand.

Calderdale in ‘top 10 for recycling rates in England’

Mark Thompson, Calderdale Council’s Acting Director of Economy and Environment, said: “We’re really pleased that so many residents have signed up so far, just a few weeks after we announced our new garden waste collections.

“Are you green-fingered? Do you want a quick and easy way to recycle your garden waste? I encourage you to join almost 2,000 other households.

“This is the first step in a number of improvements to our waste and recycling services this year, as part of our new contract with SUEZ. Calderdale is already in the top 10 for recycling rates in England, but we want to help people recycle even more.”

Gareth Richardson, SUEZ Senior Contract Manager, added: “It’s thanks to the involvement of residents that Calderdale is amongst the top councils in the country for recycling, and we’re proud to be part of that.

“The introduction of this new opt-in service for garden waste means people can now do even more to put their waste to good use.”

More information is available on the Calderdale Council website.