Garden Waste - Your Questions Answered

How often will the sack(s) be collected and what day will my collection be on?

The sacks will be emptied once a fortnight throughout the year except for the 2 weeks at Christmas and New Year, so you will receive 25 collections over 12 months. A calendar will be issued with new sacks or with your renewal letter showing your collection days for the year.

Will the garden waste be collected on the same day as my wheelie bins?

Not necessarily. A dedicated vehicle operating separately from the rest of the refuse collection fleet will empty the garden waste sacks. The collection days may coincide, but are more likely to be different.Will my collection day change after bank holidays?

No your collection day will be the same throughout the year unless we have to change it for operational reasons in which case you will be notified in writing.

How big are the sacks and what are they made of?

The sacks are 120-litre capacity (slightly less than the small blue bins, which are 140 litres). They are roughly 45cm square at the base and 60cm high. They are made of woven polypropylene, the same as the bags used by builders merchants to deliver sand and gravel. The sack is pictured on the leaflets and on our website (www.hart.gov.uk).

How big are the garden waste bins?

The standard size bin has 140 litre capacity, the outer dimensions are 49cm x 56cm x 108cm and weighs around 11kg.  The larger bin can hold 240 litres, the outer dimensions are 74cm x 59cm x 108cm and weighs around 14.2kg depending on the brand.

How much do the sacks cost?

The price you pay covers the cost of emptying the sacks. There is no limit to the number of sacks you can have.

Are there any concessions?

A concessionary rate is available to those who are in receipt of Housing and or Council Tax benefit.  If you are eligable then you will recieve 50% off your first bag.  You may be required to provide proof at the time of payment.

Why can't I put fruit and vegetable peelings in the sack? Can't they be composted?

Unfortunately, since the Foot a Mouth crisis, the Government has Imposed strict conditions on large scale composting sites. As a result, we can only accept garden waste for composting. However, it is still perfectly acceptable to continue to compost fruit and vegetable peelings at home.

What about pine needles, pine cones, acorns, pernicious weeds and other garden waste which is difficult or inadvisable to compost at home?

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 68C for at least 3 days. This kills all weed seeds and pathogens and ensures the finished compost is sterilised.

Is there any restrictions on size of twigs or branches

The branches or twigs must fit inside the sack or bin and be no thicker than 100mm in diameter.

How will the crew know which sack belongs to which properties?

Each sack will be tagged with your address (but no personal details) and a unique reference number.

What happens if my sack is lost or stolen?

This has not been a significant problem in other areas where this type of scheme is operating. If your sack does go missing and is not recovered, please contact us to get it replaced.

Won't empty sacks blow around on windy days?

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.

Can I pay for extra sacks after the collection has started?

Yes. You can organise for an additional sack to be collected.

What happens if my sack wears out?

The sacks are guaranteed to last for three years as long as they are not dragged over hard and rough surfaces. Experience elsewhere shows that the sacks will last at least 12 months. Please contact us to get it replaced.