By Isle of Wight Observer
Garden waste collection services, which offer a similar service to the Isle of Wight Council, cost an average of just over £53 nationwide, but with Island residents paying £60.
A report by the BBC’s Shared Data Unit reveals 59 per cent of local authorities charge for a garden waste collection service. The Isle of Wight Council service costs £60 a year, which includes a fortnightly collection and 240-litre wheelie bin, or three re-usable sacks.
The service is extremely popular. It is currently at capacity with 7,000 subscribers, increased from 5,000 when it was launched. There are 650 properties on the waiting list.
The most expensive service in the UK is found in Harlow, Essex, and costs £96 for a fortnightly collection.
The report follows the news that hundreds of Isle of Wight residents did not renew their garden waste subscriptions this year, blaming a lack of information about renewals.
Although the Council advertised the renewals process online, and sent emails to those who provided addresses, reminder notifications were not otherwise sent. However, the Council plans to extend the scheme and a new garden waste collection truck has been purchased.
Christine Jackson, a spokesperson for Sandown Green Town Volunteers, said: “What we have now is a great improvement on the previous lightweight sacks we had to purchase, which often split.
“The service is much better than having to take garden waste to a tip, with a cost in time and money. It makes ‘going green’ relatively easy.”
