Q: Why are you suspending green waste collections?
A: Green waste collections are being suspended from 30th November 2009 until mid March 2010. In the last few years, our vehicles have collected greatly reduced amounts of green waste from across the district during these months.

Q: What is the benefit of suspending the collections?
A: Suspending collections will save over £170,000 each year.  It will also reduce the Council’s carbon emissions by 145 tonnes each year. Because so little green waste is collected during the winter period, our recycling and composting rate will only be slightly affected. It is anticipated that it will reduce by around 4%, from the current rate of 60% to 56% diverted from landfill.

Q: When will my collections of green waste start again?
A: The collections of green waste will resume the week commencing the 22nd March 2010, depending on your collection day.

Q: Can I find out now when my green waste collections start and finish?
A: You can view the waste collection calendar for your property by entering your postcode into the Council’s website
www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/wastecollection.
Alternatively ring Customer Services on 0800 08 55 037.

Q: I still produce some green waste over winter, what should I do with it now?
A: If you generate green waste over the winter months please try home composting. Home composters can be purchased at a reduced rate through a Lincolnshire wide scheme available on line www.lincscc.getcomposting.com, or call 0845 130 6090. If you already compost at home, but still generate more green waste than you can manage, please take it to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre. Further details on can be found at...
www.recycleforlincolnshire.org.uk.

Q: But doesn’t taking green waste to a Household Waste Recycling Centre increase carbon emissions?
A: Ideally residents should compost where possible, or try to incorporate a visit into the Household Waste Recycling Centre in to normal routines such as shopping trips. Cars on average produce around 35 miles per gallon. The refuse and recycling collection vehicles travel at around 6 miles per gallon, and during the two-week collection period for green waste, there are 75 vehicles travelling around a 700sq mile district, producing large amounts of carbon in comparison.

Q: I still produce small amounts of green waste during the winter period, can I still use my green bin?
A: Yes, if you only generate a small amount of dry green waste over winter, you can continue to put it in your green waste bin and then re-present it when your collection resumes before Easter.

Q: Will the collection of my black domestic bin or grey recycling bin change?
A: In ensuring that the collection of your domestic waste and recyclable materials remains operationally efficient, the Council has had to change the combination of bins presented by some residents. If you normally put your black domestic waste bin out with your grey recycling bin when your green waste collection ceases, you will be asked to present your black bin and grey bin on alternate weeks.

Q: How will I know if my collections are going to change?
A: We will be attaching  a calendar onto your black bin during October/November, but you can also view the calendar for your property, at...
www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/wastecollection.

Q: Will Christmas affect the days when my waste is collected?
A: If you normally have a collection on a Monday or a Friday, you will be affected by changes to collections over the Christmas period.  The changes will be included on a calendar that will be attached to your bin during October/November.
These changes are included on your calendar at...
www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/wastecollection.
Alternatively you can call Customer Services on 0800 08 55 037.

Q: How shall I dispose of my old Christmas tree?
A: Old Christmas trees can be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre for disposal, alternatively buy a Christmas tree with roots that can be put in the garden after Christmas, or perhaps buy an artificial tree and re-use it each year.

Q: Can I have a reduction in my council tax?
A: No, by suspending green waste we are making the necessary savings to ensure that council tax contributions towards this service are not increased in the future.

Q: Will this affect jobs?
A: Yes, there are a number of options being discussed with the workforce and trade unions at the moment, and they will have the deciding vote on those options.

Q: Why are the green collections not starting earlier?
A: The dates for the stopping and starting of the green waste collections were based on the amount of green waste presented in the green bin. Our data show that the tonnages start rising again in the Spring. If we were to resume the collections earlier, we would not make the necessary cost savings.