Garden Waste Collection

Temporary changes to waste collections due to COVID-19

We’re working hard to minimise disruption to regular waste collections. There are some changes that we need your help and support with.

  • Longer collection running times

    It is taking longer for crews to complete their rounds as:

    • there is more waste produced as people stay at home…
    • leading to more trips during individual rounds to offload the waste
    • the teams are also observing social distancing guidance during the rounds
    • and the departures from the depot are also being spaced out to support this guidance too
  • Putting bins out earlier

    Due to collections taking longer, we need to start some rounds earlier. Please place bins out for collection the evening before your scheduled collection day, or by 6.15am on your collection day as per your waste calendar. This is 45 minutes earlier than the usual time to allow the staff to stagger their start times and reduce their contact with others.

  • Managing waste responsibly from household with suspected Coronavirus

    If you or someone in your household has COVID-19 – or shows symptoms of COVID-19 - please help us prevent the spread of the virus by taking the following steps with materials that may be contaminated, such as waste tissues, disposable cloths or wipes used to clean surfaces.

    • Step one – Place materials into a plastic bag and tie it when full
    • Step two - Once the bag is full, double bag it in a second bin bag or plastic bag and tie it up.
    • Step three - Store the bags for 72 hours (three days) and then place them in your normal wheeled bin.

    If you don't receive a wheeled bin collection, please make sure a council-issued bag label is placed on the outside of the double-bagged waste.

    For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection#cleaning-and-disposal-of-waste

  • Extra waste bags

    Biffa teams cannot collect extra waste or recycling left alongside your bin at this time. 

    We want to take care of our crews so they can continue to work for as long as possible and we want to avoid them coming into direct contact with waste.

    If you have extra waste or recycling , please bag it up securely and store it.

    Please put it in your bin for the next scheduled collection.

  • Disinfect bin handles

    Please take extra care to disinfect or clean the handle of your wheeled bin or box when you put it out and after collection.

    This is an extra precaution for the crews and you to reduce the risk of passing any infection

    Additional guidance:

    • Continue to place your wheeled bin, glass box or bag out at your normal collection point.
    •  Please collect your wheeled bin, glass box or bag as soon as possible following the collection.

     Hampshire County Council Household Waste Recycling Centres are all closed but please do not put any of the following items in your refuse bin:

    • Stones or brick rubble
    • DIY materials
    •  Paint / chemicals or oil
    • Hot ashes
    • Clinical waste (we continue to provide a free domestic service for this)
    • Commercial, trade or industrial waste
    • Scrap metal
    • Poisonous or noxious waste
    • Garden waste
    • Electrical products

 

During normal service residents should dispose of garden waste in the green sack provided by Winchester City Council under the Alternate Bin Collection scheme. The garden waste is collected and will be recycled into soil conditioner called Pro-Grow, used by many local gardeners and growers.

Your garden waste will be collected on the same day as your REFUSE.

  • What CAN go in the sack
    • Grass cuttings
    • Hedge cuttings
    • Weeds
    • Small branches
    • Leaves (small amounts)
    • Pruning’s

    Max. weight: 15kg 

    All garden waste collected goes to a composting site in Hampshire and is made into organic soil conditioner, widely used in local parks and formal gardens. You should try to compost as much of your garden and kitchen waste as possible, as this is better for the environment and saves on fuel and transportation costs.

  • What CAN NOT go in the sack
    • Soil/concrete/rubble
    • Vegetable peelings
    • Food scraps
    • Coal ash
    • Animal waste
    • Commercial waste
    • General household waste
  • Additional sacks

    If you wish to have extra garden waste collected you can purchase additional garden waste sacks. These additional sacks will be emptied fortnightly with your free garden waste sack as supplied by Winchester City Council.

    • You can order new or replacement garden waste bags through our online service.
    • If you require additional sacks please call the Council's on 0300 300 0013 or use our online service - the current price for one additional sack is £25 or for two sacks £75.

    Please remember you can dispose of extra garden waste free of charge at your Local Household Waste Recycling Centre.

  • Composters and Water Butts

    All Winchester residents can get special offers on Composters and Water Butts.

    For advice on the disposal of Ash leaf litter that might be infected with Chalara fraxinea, see our information page.