Residents in nine areas across the borough have been chosen to test run a new brown bin aimed at increasing composting across Lewisham.
The pilot scheme will run for four months and will allow residents to dispose of large amounts of garden waste on a weekly basis. The trial area involves roads in Lewisham Central, Rushey Green, Crofton Park, Bellingham, Sydenham, Catford South, Brockley, Ladywell and Whitefoot.
Councillor Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: “Lewisham has one of the best waste collection services in London with both normal refuse and recycled waste being collected on a weekly basis. However, we are always looking for new and better ways of helping residents to reduce their carbon footprint.”
“This pilot project will help to reduce the amount of space garden waste takes up in an ordinary bin and ensures that the waste is disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. We also hope it will raise awareness of how easy and efficient composting can be.”
The new bins will be emptied on the same day as existing refuse and recycling collections so that residents will not have to put bins out on different days.
Waste that can be placed in the brown wheelie bin includes:
- flowers and plants
- grass cuttings
- leaves, twigs and branches up to 4 inches (10cm) in diameter.
Waste that should not be placed in the brown wheelie bin includes:
- kitchen waste
- vegetable peelings
- soil, turf, stones or plant pots
- Japanese knotweed
The trial began on 9 July and will run for four months.
After the four month trial an evaluation of the project will take place.