Residents choose new garden waste service

Croydon Council will follow other London boroughs in starting to charge for garden waste collection from April after thousands of local residents said they wanted it to continue.

Tight finances led to the council engaging with residents last autumn asking for their input on the future of the service, which is currently funded by all 147,000 Croydon households but used by less than a quarter.

In reply, over 10,000 residents said they wanted to keep the fortnightly service with an annual fee rather than end it.

Making the service paid-for will save Croydon taxpayers £1.5m per year amid growing budget pressures and less Government funding.

Croydon Council’s decision, announced at Monday’s Full Council meeting, comes after other London boroughs introduced similar paid-for green waste collection schemes, including Sutton, Bexley and Merton.

“We’re really pleased we can continue this green waste service for those who want it while saving Croydon taxpayers £1.5m a year and therefore protecting more crucial frontline services.

“Thanks to Government grant cuts Croydon faces tough choices, and a green waste service that served only residents with gardens but was paid for by all our households had to change.”

Councillor Stuart Collins, deputy leader – Clean Green Croydon

The council will update residents in the coming weeks on how the new service will work and how to pay.

Householders can register through their login for My Account from this Friday (29 January) by visiting www.croydon.gov.uk. Those without a computer can either register at their local library or with help from council staff at Access Croydon.

Once you have paid for the new service you will receive a garden waste wheeled bin and will be able to view your collection day online in My Account. For more information, visit the council’s website.

2016-01-26T08:58:13+00:00 January 26th, 2016|Recent news|