How to register for Rotherham's garden waste service

Residents opting in will be sent a brown bin, which will be emptied monthly from November to March and fortnightly between April and October.

Rotherham Borough Council will stop collecting blue bags from October 29, when the switch happens and green bins should be used for paper and card.

The aim is to cut £1.3 million a year from the council’s bins bill and for Rotherham’s recycling rate to meet the Government’s 50 per cent target by 2020.

Garden waste was previously collected for free but the service does not have to be provided and the new charge will help the council save money.

Cllr Emma Hoddinott, cabinet member for waste, said: “The council is making these changes to increase the amount of waste that is recycled, whilst also bringing down the cost of running the service at a time when the council’s budget is being reduced.

“We listened to residents who said they wanted a garden waste collection service for additional months in the year, for us to remove the boxes and bags and to introduce plastic recycling at home.

“These changes will mean every household will have more space to recycle, more overall space in their bins than they currently have, and recycling will be made easier.”

Households signing up for brown bins before October 15 will receive 15 months’ collection for the price of 12. Sign up at www.rotherham.gov.uk/bins.

Later changes will include the start of plastic recycling and a smaller general waste bin.