6 tips to get rid of garden waste
Spring is in the air, the nights are lighter and thoughts turn to relaxing in the garden. From planting new flowers or reading a book into the evening, your garden is a retreat from everyday stresses.
With the increased use of our green spaces however comes the task of tidying and maintenance, and the question of what to do with all the garden waste?
Whether a small city centre garden or a sprawling countryside retreat, here are our top tips to help you remove your garden waste once the lawns are mown and the hedges are trimmed.
Home Composting
Composting at home is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to deal with garden waste removal. Not only will you clear your garden of rubbish, but you can turn tree, plants and grass clippings into free fertiliser.
Compost bins are available online and from garden centres, or try making your own using wood and plastic sheeting. There are lots of simple plans online to help as well.
Why not create a makeshift compost heap in a flat and sunny corner of your garden? All you will need is a good balance of wet and dry woody (sticks/leaves) and green (fruit and vegetable waste) materials. To ensure it gets air just turn it over regularly with a fork or spade.
Remember though to only compost garden waste and fruit and vegetable cuttings.
Garden Waste Collection Service
Most councils offer households a kerbside garden waste collection service. These usually take place fortnightly. It is important to only put into your bin what the instructions state and not to include any other items. The following can go into most garden waste collections:
• Leaves and flowers
• Grass and weeds
• Tree bark and pruned branches
• Clippings and twigs
• Home-grown fruit or vegetables
The downside with kerbside bins is that they don’t hold much and the time-frame isn’t helpful if you have a lot of waste.
Visit a Recycling Centre
If your garden waste won’t fit into your kerbside bin, then take a trip to your local recycling centre. Local councils will have a list of where these are as well as opening times.
If you live near to one and have access to a larger vehicle or trailer they are a great way to reduce your garden waste. You do have to package all the waste up yourself though which can prove time-consuming and slightly messy!
Garden Skip Bins
When you have a lot to tidy up in the garden and a large amount of garden waste to remove, you may consider hiring a garden skip.
You can normally hire one in a range of sizes dependent on how much needs to be taken away. However if you do not fill it completely you still have to pay the full cost for that particular size.
You will need somewhere on your property to locate the skip for the duration of the hire or arrange a permit for it to be placed on the road.
Incinerators and Bonfires
Bonfires can be an option for reducing garden waste such as leaves, twigs and cuttings, however they do create a lot of smoke and can be a nuisance. Another choice is an incinerator as it burns at a higher temperature and does not produce as much smoke.
If you do choose to have a bonfire make sure that the garden waste is dry and you pick a time of day that will not bother your neighbours. Early morning and early evenings tend to be the best time.
Garden Waste Clearance Company
As with a skip bin this may be the best choice if you have a large amount of garden waste to be removed. Unlike a skip most clearance companies will pack up the waste, load it onto the vehicle and remove it for you.
Remember though not all garden waste is easily recyclable. Green waste of grass, leaves, weeds and twigs costs less to dispose of than mixed waste such as soil, bricks and plant pots. Make sure you specify what type you have when booking.
All clearance companies including gardeners need a waste disposal licence, otherwise they, and you could be fined.
Garden waste disposal is not difficult as long as you work out the best options for you. Whichever you choose, make sure that when it comes to removing garden waste you do it in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
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Melina - Assistant Editor
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