Garden collections are set to return in Plymouth

The return of the garden waste collections means fewer trips to recycling sites - and good compost

Council chiefs have announced the return of garden waste collections in the city. The service was extended late last year by a few weeks to help Plymouth residents clear away their garden cuttings and clippings after the council suffered a combination of staff shortage and a requirement to give the brown rubbish and green recycling bins a higher priority.

As a result, the black garden waste bins were not collected and it was agreed to run the service beyond November and into December. As a new season begins and the better weather arrives gardens will undoubtedly begin to be given the attention they need, from lawns being mown to trees, bushes and borders being tidied up.

A spokesperson for Plymouth City Council said: "Over the winter we've been working on our round schedule to try and make the service more efficient. This means that for some residents, garden waste collection day will have changed.

"Make sure you know when your collection will be by clicking the link below. Collections start on Monday April 4 and will run fortnightly until the Autumn."

Council chiefs are urging people to check their bin days first and then remind themselves what can go in each bin. The black garden waste bins can have your flowers, grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, plants, weeds and small twigs and branches.

However, you must not put in soil, plastic plant pots, domestic waste or entire trees! A council spokesperson said: "We would politely ask you that when not out for collection, to store your bin on your property, off public pavements and roads.

"Not only does this ensure that they don't get tipped over and make a mess, but it also stops them from going missing - no, we can't believe people steal them either, but they do! When it is time to put your bin out, please leave them at the edge of the kerb with the handles facing outwards. Doing this will really help our collectors who are handling up to 1,000 bins per day."

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