Teething Problems With New Garden Waste Services
Residents complain of confusion over bags and tags
Hounslow Council’s introduction of the new subscription garden waste collection service, which started last week, has been criticised by some residents, with one describing it as "shambolic". Unless you signed up to pay the £50 annual charge, the Hounslow Council garden waste collection service has now ceased.
One resident complained that there was a good deal of confusion and Hounslow Council has apologised for anyone experiencing difficulties during the first weeks of the service.
Liz Mammet said: "It now transpires that some residents are having to wait for brown wheelie bins. The new green bags will be brown. The yellow tags for those keeping their original green sacks have not been despatched. Pity the collection crews having to cope with this confusion!"
Councillor Amrit Mann, Deputy Leader for Hounslow Council, said:“So far, more than 9,500 households have signed up to the new garden waste collection service. Those who signed up by 14 March should have received their bin, sacks, or tags. The remaining households will receive their bins, sacks or tags within two weeks. Anyone waiting for these items should place their waste out for collection using their existing green sacks. We have asked our collection crew to collect garden waste from all homes who have signed up to the new service.
“The decision to change the free garden waste service to a paid, subscription service was not taken lightly. We, along with other councils across the country have had to make some difficult financial choices in light of unprecedented cuts to our budget from central government.
“In order to protect essential services we decided to change the free garden waste collection service. Rather than scrap it altogether we asked those who wanted to continue to receive the fortnightly service to subscribe and pay.
“We have been promoting the service change extensively since January with boroughwide marketing, social media campaigns, regular press releases and a leaflet posted directly to all residents with their Council Tax bill.
“The customer contact centre has been busier than usual and some residents have had difficulty getting through to us on the phone. We have arranged for additional staff to help with the high volumes of calls we are currently receiving to make it easier for residents to contact us.
“We apologise to anyone who experiences any difficulties during the initial weeks of this service.”
Here is the official update on the service: If you subscribed to the garden waste collection service by 14 March, and requested a new wheelie bin, this should have been delivered in the past week.
If you subscribed after this date, there will be a wait for your bin of up to three weeks.
If you have subscribed to a bin collection service: if your bin does not arrive before 4 April, when the current free service ends, please continue to place your garden waste out for collection using your existing sacks. The collection crew have been instructed to collect your waste.
If you have subscribed to a sack collection service: please continue to place your garden waste out for collection using your existing sacks. The collection crew have been instructed to collect your waste. If you asked to keep your green sacks, you will be sent a tag as soon as possible to fix onto your existing sacks to show you have subscribed to the new service. If you have chosen to use new brown sacks, please continue to place your garden waste out for collection using your existing sacks. The collection crew have been instructed to collect your waste.
Residents who subscribe to the new, fortnightly service will pay an annual subscription of £50 for a fixed year period (4 April to 31 March 2017). Anyone receiving council tax support will pay £25 covering the same period. Residents can subscribe to the service by completing a form online.
Residents who sign up after 1 October will pay £30, for the period until 31 March, or £15 if in receipt of council tax support.
Most households will be provided with a new, brown 240 litre wheelie bin. If you do not have space for a bin, or have difficulty using one, you can apply to use two 90 litre reusable sacks.
Hounslow Council says the system is fairer because not every resident uses garden waste collections yet they all pay it through Council tax. The new tax means only those who want garden waste collected will pay.
The alternative, should you not wish to pay for the service, or not be able to afford it, is to compost garden waste or take it to Space Waye Reuse and Recycle Centre, Pier Road, Feltham, or to civic amenities sites in neighbouring boroughs
For those residents who do not have access to the internet, they can call 020 8583 2060, Monday to Friday from 5-7.30pm.
April 8, 2016
