Your garden waste bin
Summer is on its way, and that means more time in the garden. Here’s a reminder of what can, and can’t, be put in your garden waste bin with some useful questions and answers:
What happens if I put the wrong items in my bin?
Your bin will not be emptied and a tag will be left on it. You will need to remove any unacceptable items before your next collection.
Why can I not put food waste and fruit and vegetable peelings in my bin?
Regulations that were introduced to prevent the spread of diseases like Foot and Mouth limit the materials that can be composted in the open air. The facility we use is not licensed to take these materials.
Why can I not put pet bedding in my bin?
Regulations mean that we are not able to take animal bedding or waste in our garden bins. Even where the animals are vegetarian and the bedding is hay or straw the waste is still the by-product of an animal. We suggest this material is composted at home.
Why can I not put large amounts of soil in my bin?
Unfortunately large amounts of soil inhibit the effective production of the compost.
What about non-native invasive plants?
Non-native invasive plants upset the balance of the ecosystem as they may be bigger, faster growing or more aggressive than the native species. Please do not place any part of Japanese Knotweed, or any other invasive weeds, including Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam, Australian Swamp Stonecrop, Parrots Feather, Floating Pennywort and Creeping Water Primrose, in your garden bin.
I have leaves from a confirmed infected ash dieback tree or I live in an area where the infection has been confirmed. What do I do?
Do not put leaves from an infected tree in your garden waste bin. You may leave infected leaves where they fall, however, if you do clear them, you should burn or bury affected leaves in your garden or compost them (but only in your garden). If leaves are used for compost, do not remove the compost from your garden eg to an allotment.
How much garden waste can I put in my bin?
The lid on the bin needs to be closed to enable it to be emptied. If you compact materials in your bin, it may result in the bin being either too heavy for the equipment to life for emptying or the bin falling into the lorry. If the bin is too heavy, then it will have a tag placed on it and will be emptied once the weight is reduced.
For more information visit www.midsussex.gov.uk
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