Around Ealing Autumn 2015 | Page 45

COMPOSTING GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION I f you want an alternative to composting, or have a lot of garden waste, you could be one of the thousands of households to sign up for the council’s fortnightly garden waste collection scheme. From 1 October you can get a discount. For £45 you can have it collected until 31 March next year. You can choose from three reusable sacks or a garden waste wheelie bin and, if you order additional containers, you will get a 25% discount. If you do not have much garden waste, why not opt for a wheelie bin where you can shut the lid and store your waste sealed? Biodegradable sacks are available to residents living in flats or on red routes. Residents eligible for means tested benefits or over 65 are eligible for a 25% discount. WHAT CAN I RECYCLE? Grass cuttings ■ Twigs and hedge trimmings ■ Plants and weeds ■ Flowers ■ Leaves ■ Garden prunings. ■ ‘browns’ is important. Try and aim for a half-and-half mixture of greens and browns: GREENS BROWNS ■ Fruit and vegetable peelings ■ Egg shells and boxes ■ Tea bags, coffee grounds and filter paper ■ Newspaper and cardboard (scrunched up) ■ Grass cuttings ■ Garden prunings and leaves ■ Old flowers ■ Bedding from vegetarian pets ■ Nettles ■ Shredded confidential documents ■ Vacuum cleaner dust ■ Tissues and paper napkins The green items contain bacteria that generate the initial heat required to start things breaking down. Mixing in some brown items will prevent the contents from becoming too sludgy and smelly. WHAT DO I DO TO SUBSCRIBE? You can start subscribing for the garden waste service online at www.ealing.gov.uk/gardenwaste or by calling customer services on 020 8825 6000 from 1 October. ALTERNATIVES Otherwise, garden waste can be taken free of charge to Greenford Recycling Centre, in Greenford Road; or Acton Recycling Centre, in Stirling Road; where it will be recycled. Any garden waste put out inside rubbish sacks or bins will not be collected. around ealing Autumn 2015 45