Garden waste collection services across the UK cost an average of £53 — but Isle of Wight residents pay more.
A report by the BBC’s Shared Data Unit, released today (Wednesday), reveals 59 per cent of local authorities charge for a garden waste collection service.
The Isle of Wight Council service costs £60 a year — which includes a fortnightly collection and 240-litre wheelie bin, or three re-usable sacks.
650 on waiting list
The service is extremely popular. It is currently at capacity with 7,000 subscribers, increased from 5,000 when it was launched. There are 650 properties on the waiting list.
The £60 cost places the Isle of Wight in the top 20 per cent, in terms of the most expensive services nationally.
100 authorities offer free garden waste collection
The Isle of Wight Council charges the same as councils in Bromley, Gosport and Reading — while 100 local authorities offer a free garden waste collection.
Compared with Portsmouth and Southampton, where residents pay £45, the Island also exceeds the average cost of collections in the south east, which is £44. Regionally, the south east is the most expensive area.
The most expensive service in the UK is found in Harlow, Essex, and costs £96 for a fortnightly collection.
Renewal mixup
The report follows the news hundreds of Isle of Wight residents did not renew their garden waste subscriptions this year, blaming a lack of information about renewals.
Although the council advertised the renewals process online, and sent emails to those who provided addresses, reminder notifications were not otherwise sent.
However, the council plans to extend the scheme and a new garden waste collection truck has been purchased.
Jackson: Makes ‘going green’ relatively easy
Christine Jackson, a spokesperson for Sandown Green Town Volunteers, said:
“What we have now is a great improvement on the previous lightweight sacks we had to purchase, which often split.
“The service is much better than having to take garden waste to a tip, with a cost in time and money. It makes ‘going green’ relatively easy.”
Update
The Isle of Wight Council said the figures included councils which did not offer a service at all. Looking at all the local authorities in the UK which offer an identical service to the Island, with a fortnightly collection, 240L bin and all year round service, the average cost is £53.32.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may be been made by OnTheWight. Ed
