Residents have reacted angrily to Trafford Council’s new garden waste subscription service – under which residents will have to pay to dispose of garden waste in their green bins.
This new charge will cost £50 per year if paid over the phone, or £45 if paid online, and will be start on June 1.
The council said it is needed to maintain essential services and claimed most other local authorities already charge to collect garden waste.
But the charge – alongside Trafford’s council tax increase of 7.49% – has sparked anger among residents.
Christina, 60, said: “Just where do they think us normal folk are supposed to get all this extra money? No pay rises because of increased taxes to companies – are they trying to kill off the poorer class?”
And Desmond, a retired pensioner, added: “It starts with the green bins and before you know it they will be charging for every single bin to be emptied… give it time and it will be the norm.”
Residents have until May 16 to pay if they want their permit in time for June 1.
Those who choose not to pay can dispose of garden waste by composting at home, taking it to a recycling centre, or arranging for private collection.
The council says residents without permits can still use their green bins for food waste, but not for garden waste – including leaves and branches from council-owned trees which blow into properties.
One Facebook user said: “So to clarify. You’ll still empty the large green bin if it contains food waste? But not if it contains a leaf?
“You’ll then take the food waste to the same place as you take the food and garden waste? So you want people to pay more for exactly the same service being offered?”
Another user commented: “My street, like so many streets in Trafford, is tree lined and I use my bin to sweep up the fallen leaves from my property. So, who is going to take those fallen leaves, twigs and sticks because I am no longer providing my time and effort to sweep up?”
Trafford Council’s website advises residents not to sweep leaves or other natural debris from their garden or driveway onto the street as this will be treated as a littering offence or even fly tipping.
The website also said Trafford Council remove around 2,000 tonnes of leaves from the highway each year, some of which come from trees situated on private land.
Featured image courtesy of Pixabay
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