12.15. 19.09.07.THE green garden waste collection is to be extended to include every household in North Somerset.

THE green garden waste collection is to be extended to include every household in North Somerset.

North Somerset Council introduced the free fortnightly service to around 80 per cent of the properties in the district in February last year.

Since then more than 14,000 tonnes of garden waste and plain corrugated cardboard have been collected and composted, increasing the amount recycled in North Somerset by 19 per cent and pushing the district's recycling rate up to nearly 37 per cent for this year.

The green waste collected is turned into a soil enricher rather than sent to be buried in a landfill site, thereby saving the council and residents from Government fines and extra disposal costs.

It is estimated the extension of the service to all properties will result in an additional 1,7663 tonnes of garden waste a year being diverted to landfill.

Green bags are currently being delivered to those households not previously covered by the scheme, together with an information leaflet and a calendar of collections.

If residents not previously in the scheme do not receive a bag by September 28, they can call North Somerset Council streets and open spaces on 01934 888802 and a bag will be sent to them.

Fortnightly collections will begin on October 1 and will be on the same day as residents' normal refuse collections.

During December, January and February the green bag collections will take place on a monthly basis with fortnightly collections resuming in March.

Residents must separate their green garden waste from their general rubbish as this waste will no longer be collected as part of the normal rubbish collection service.

People can put out as many green bags as they wish as long as they are filled with the correct materials.

North Somerset Council executive member for environment Carl Francis-Pester said: "The service has proved extremely popular since it was introduced about 18 months ago and we have had many residents asking us whey they are not included in the scheme.

"We have taken the decision to roll out the scheme across the whole of the district so that everyone has the opportunity to do their bit to make our district greener."

For more information contact www.n-somerset.gov.uk/greenwaste.