Maidenhead & Windsor

Monday 3 November marks the start of the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's new low-cost fortnightly green waste service, with 2,200 residents already signed up.

Most have taken advantage of the special Windsor and Maidenhead opening offer – a welcome discount for everyone who subscribes for two years, reducing the annual cost from £29 to £26.50 (£53 in total if paid in advance). Distinctive green wheelie bins are being delivered to all participating homes.

Lead Windsor and Maidenhead member Cllr Alison Knight said this was a 'fantastic' response: "The enthusiastic response from local people is proof that there is a real demand for this regular, efficient way of sending garden waste for recycling. Residents realise that the council is offering a really convenient service, which cuts the number of trips they need to make to the recycling centre and enables them to make a major contribution to a greener Royal Borough."

Initially Veolia, the council's waste contractor can cater for up to 3,500 homes but if there is enough demand the council plans to expand the service.

Cllr Knight stressed that the new Windsor and Maidenhead service will not affect the council's normal weekly refuse collection. It will be in addition to all existing waste and recycling services provided by the council.

Joining the 'green bin brigade' couldn't be easier:

· Call the Customer Service Centre on 01628 683801 to register and pay the fee – either £29 for one year or the discounted £53 for two years
· A 240-litre green wheelie bin will be delivered to each subscribing household,along with an information pack that sets out the collection dates and how to make the best use of the bin
· Veolia, the council's waste contractor, will collect the green bin on the same day every two weeks.

Earlier this year the Windsor and Maidenhead council gave home composting a boost by giving away 5,000 free bins – and there are still some left. Order by calling 0845 077 0757

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead