Merton saw its 3000th customer sign up to the garden waste collection service launched this summer.

The new chargeable service allows residents to have their garden waste automatically collected from their home every fortnight without having to contact the council each time. Residents who sign up for the service can be reassured that their garden waste is recycled into compost. With the 3,000th person signing up this week, the service has exceeded the council’s expectations.

The annual subscription costs £65 per year with collections taking place every fortnight except for two collections over the Christmas season. The service is £50 for pensioners and those in receipt of income or disability support.

One of the first residents to sign up to the scheme was Morden pensioner Mr Brice. He said: “I am really pleased with my garden waste collection. I would definitely recommend the service to others. I joined as I found it difficult to take my waste to the household reuse and recycling centre. In addition to that, all the garden clippings made a mess in my car. This service is a lot more convenient for me. I will definitely be signing up again next year.

Councillor Andrew Judge, cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration said: “The garden waste collection provides a good value for money service to our residents. It also boosts recycling and composting within the borough. It’s great that so many of our residents are already benefiting from the new service.”

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