Free green waste collections are to be launched in Colchester.

Until now people wanting to get rid of garden waste had to pay £6.59 for special green bags from Colchester Council - and their green waste was then taken off to landfill.

In the bag - Paul English, council waste officer, who helped draw up the plans with the new collection bags Picture: STEVE BAINBRIDGE

But a new system is being unveiled in Colchester in which residents will be given free, reusable, garden waste bags and their green refuse will be taken off for composting in Ipswich.

It is hoped eventually the green waste will be composted in the Colchester area where it can be used and sold back to those who need it.

The council has spent £100,000 on the heavy duty bags.

The free bag scheme will be launched as a pilot in the first instance and council officers have now begun the task of finding how many people will use the new service.

To test the project, a trial will take place in the Mile End and High Woods areas of the town before being spread outwards to other areas. The trial will include about 3,000 homes.

Council waste and transport manager Dave McManus said it was hoped the new scheme would be fully up and running in June.

The project is being funded using part of a £750,000 grant from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Published Wednesday, April 16, 2003

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