Garden waste

Garden waste service update 21.1.2022

Updated at 11:15am

Garden waste collections in Hart will resume from Monday 31 January 2022, as staffing levels have stabilised.

Working with our contractor Serco, we have been regularly reviewing the service after it was suspended on Monday 10 January to prioritise the core waste and recycling services, where there was a backlog of collections from the Christmas and New Year period.

Since then the garden waste collection service has been under constant review focusing on the numbers of staff available and the numbers required to maintain core waste and recycling services and provide a regular scheduled garden waste collection service.

We will continue to monitor the staffing situation closely and will provide updates to our customers on our website and social media.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during a very difficult time for our crew

The first collections

Crews will collect real Christmas trees alongside garden waste when the service resumes. There is no time limit on this. Trees can also be taken to one of the tree recycling sites across the district.

However, to provide a fair service to all garden waste customers the crews will be unable to collect extra garden waste. If they take extra garden waste from some customers, it will impact their ability to complete rounds, which would be unfair on those missed as a result.

We anticipate a large number of very full bins and Christmas trees being put out for the first collection. We ask our customers to bear with us while we clear the waste as quickly as we can.

Extensions

All subscriptions will be extended to cover the missed collection during this latest suspension of service.

Customers will receive a renewal reminder letter four weeks prior to the new renewal date, so only need to renew once they receive this reminder.

Renewals

For those that were due to renew, all subscriptions have been extended to cover any collections missed during suspension of service, any delays in collections, and any missed collections notified to us. Our system generates automatic reminder letters 4 weeks prior to renewal dates, so you only need to renew once you receive this reminder.

If you have received a renewal letter, please complete our online garden waste renewal form.

New subscriptions - To prioritise resources to current customers signed up to the service when it resumes, we are not signing up new customers at this time as we cannot guarantee the delivery of new bins or make collections due to staffing shortages. We apologise for the inconvenience and will resume the service as soon as possible.

Answers to some questions you may have

When will my bin be collected?

The garden waste collection service will resume from Monday 31 January 2022 as part of the scheduled fortnightly collections with Basingstoke and Deane. You should place your bin or bags out for collection by 6:30am on your collection day.

We are anticipating that on the first collection, the majority of bins will be very full and we are asking customers to be patient while the crews carry out the collections.

Will you collect my real Christmas tree?

Yes. We will be collecting Christmas trees alongside garden waste. There is no time limit on this. Trees can also be taken to one of the tree recycling sites across the district.

What happens if my bin isn’t collected?

If your bin has not been collected but the rest of the street has, you should report this to us. Please let us know by using this form within 24 hours of the missed collection.

If your whole street has been missed, it is likely that our crew are delayed and you should continue to leave your bin out. We will continue to post service updates on social media and our website to inform you of any changes.

Will the service be suspended again?

We hope not. However, we are responsible for providing a regular collection service for household waste, recycling and clinical waste. These collections are our priority so we will review the situation regularly and will provide updates on any changes of service on our website and social media.

Will you extend my subscription?

Yes. To ensure that customers don’t miss out on the service they have paid for, we will extend garden waste accounts to cover the missed collection for each customer. This will mean that customers will get the full number of collections that they paid for in the year with their renewal date moved forward. You do not need to do anything as your renewal letter will show your new renewal date reflecting this missed collection.

Do I need to do anything to get my extra collection?

You do not need to do anything. The missed collection will be added to your subscription.

Can I take my garden waste to the local household waste and recycling centre?

Yes. There is a booking system. You can find more information about household waste and recycling centre on Hampshire County Council’s website at www.hants.gov.uk

Will Christmas trees be taken when the service restarts?

Yes, Christmas trees will still be taken alongside your garden waste container when the service restarts. Alternatively you can take it to one of our 4 drop off sites for Christmas trees. Find your nearest site here www.hart.gov.uk/festive-bin-collections

Will you be taking excess garden waste when collections re-start?

No. Other than Christmas trees, we are unable to. If we take extra garden waste from some customers, we would not be able to get round to all customers leaving some without a collection.

Can I have a refund for the service?

No. Individual collections are not refundable, but customers will not miss out instead we will extend all subscriptions to cover the suspended collections once the service resumes.

How do I get in touch with someone about this?

The best way to stay up to date is by checking our website. Our contact centre is dealing with a large volume of calls at present, and some customers are experiencing long wait times.

I have received a renewal letter but would like to have my extension added before I renew?

Now we have a date for the service restarting we are able to start the process of adding the extension to your subscription. Extensions can only be made to active subscriptions to account for any missed collections as a result of suspension of service.

Therefore you should renew your subscription as soon as possible after you receive a reminder and before your subscription lapses. If you allow your subscription to lapse, your extension will not be added, and you will have to wait until we are accepting new customers before signing up again as a new subscriber.

How do I keep informed of changes to waste and recycling services?

For the latest information on waste and recycling collection services in your area, please check www.hart.gov.uk/waste-recycling

Bin and service charge costs

Concessions

We offer the garden waste service subscription fee at a concessionary rate to residents who receive Housing or Council tax benefit. Depending on the size of bin you use this may be up to 50%. Please call 01252 622122 if you would like to sign up and are entitled to the concessionary price. You will need to have your benefit reference numbers to hand.

Prices for subscriptions valid until March 31 2022

	Cost of bin	Cost of annual service charge to be paid each year	Total first year cost inc bin and service charge
240 Litre Garden Waste bin	£35	£81.00	£116
140 Litre Garden waste bin	£35	£55	£90
Concession - 240 Litre Garden Waste bin	£35	£55	£90
Concession - 140 Litre Garden waste bin	£35	£29	£64

The cost of this service is non-refundable.

Please note, if your bin goes missing, is damaged or stolen, you will need to purchase a replacement bin at a cost of £35.

What can I put in my garden waste bin?

All of the following can be put in your garden waste bin:

grass cuttings
cut flowers
hedge trimmings
weeds
leaves
twigs/branches (Maximum 10cm in diameter)
prunings

Home composting

Composting is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms your kitchen and garden waste into a valuable and nutrient rich food for your garden. It's easy to make and use.

Home composting has many benefits:

It’s easy to make and easy to use
Produces a free continual source of the very best compost
Improves soil structure
Maintains moisture
Helps the soil PH balance
Suppresses plant disease
Reduces the need for polluting bonfires
Reduces carbon emissions
Helps to divert organic waste from landfill
Reduces refuse collection costs

To encourage residents to get composting, Hart District Council has teamed up with Getcomposting.com to offer home compost bins at special offer prices from only £22.50 (RRP £39). There is also a Buy One Get One Half Price Offer, adding extra value to residents with larger gardens or those who team up with a friend or neighbour to buy a bin. To see what’s available, visit www.getcomposting.com or call 0844 571 4444.