SOME homeowners in Wiltshire have been expressing their frustration as the annual subscription fee for garden waste bin collection has increased for the fourth year in a row.
Residents renewing their subscriptions with Wiltshire Council at the end of June will face a £75 charge, a significant jump from £70 in 2024, £66 in 2023, and £60 the year prior.
The escalating costs have sparked debate amongst locals, who argue that the increased fees discourage responsible garden waste disposal and are detrimental to the environment.
"It's absolutely disgraceful," said one disgruntled resident. "We pay our taxes and it still goes up. We try to recycle as much as we can. We don't have a car to drive it to the waste centre ourselves and we don't have a garden big enough to compost it."
Another resident questioned the council's practice of charging residents for both the collection of garden waste and the subsequent compost produced from that waste.
Cllr Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate and Waste, defended the decision, he told us: “Increasing fees is never taken lightly, but the recovery of collection costs ensures this service is not subsidised by residents who do not wish to use it. Garden waste can still be taken to any household recycling centre free of charge.
“For residents who prefer to compost at home, we also offer the opportunity to purchase a subsidised hot composter. More information can be found at Rubbish and recycling - Wiltshire Council.
“We are committed to providing as many opportunities as possible for people to recycle as much as they can, with additional recycling services planned for 2027 including weekly food waste collections.”
Wiltshire Council maintains that legislation allows them to recover the reasonable costs associated with garden waste collections, recognising that not all households have gardens or wish to use the service. The charge covers the emptying of one 180-litre bin every two weeks until June 30th of each year.
Despite the council's justification, many residents remain unconvinced, arguing that the continued price hikes are unfair and will ultimately lead to increased fly-tipping and a decrease in responsible waste disposal practices.
*Photo - Wiltshire Council
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