WITH almost 6,000 of residents now signed up to the so-called Garden Waste Club in Barrow, The Mail's AMY FENTON visited Sinkfall's recycling site to find out how our grass cuttings are turned into top quality compost.

To say it hasn't been without its teething problems would be an understatement, but with FCC Environment bosses now pledging "things will get better" after shifting to its new four-day week, the Garden Waste Club is now open to new subscribers.

For an annual fee of £35 (or £30 for those who join part-way through the 2017/2018 financial year), FCC will collect your 240-litre brown wheelie bin once a fortnight.

Once the binmen have completed their round, they take the wagon up to Sinkfall Recycling's site in Rakesmoor Lane in Barrow where the waste is emptied, cleared of any contaminants and then batched.

FCC pays Sinkfall Recycling a fee per tonne to take the garden waste and in turn, after it is composted over a 12-week period, Sinkfall sells the material at a rate of £27.50 a tonne.

Sinkfall processes around 12,000 tonnes of garden waste every year from a number of local authorities, but bosses there say Barrow's is one of the worst for contamination.


The firm employs one man whose sole job is to clear the waste of plant pots, plastic, metal and even household waste.

It takes 12 weeks for the waste to be converted into what is classified as PAS100 compost which is suitable for use in gardens and parks.

First, the waste is piled and allowed to warm to a temperature of 65C. After being held at this temperature for 10 days it is turned and the process is repeated twice more.

After being screened and separated, the compost is left for three weeks before it reaches the end of its cycle.

Graham Harrison, FCC's area manager for Cumbria, apologised for the issues facing the garden waste collections since they were introduced in April.

"Now we've switched to our four-day week for household and recycling collections, and a daily garden waste collection service, we're confident things will be better from now," he said.

“We are aware that this service has taken a little time to settle and we apologise to residents for this but we can assure them that we have taken steps to put things right and we are now confident that residents will receive the service they expect.”

WHAT CAN GO IN MY GARDEN WASTE BIN?

  • Grass cuttings;
  • Tree and hedge clippings;
  • Weeds and plants;
  • Leaves;
  • Twigs;
  • Bark;
  • Dead flowers.

WHAT CAN'T GO IN MY GARDEN WASTE BIN?

  • Bin liners;
  • Food waste;
  • Plastic of any kind;
  • Pet bedding;
  • Large branches;
  • Turf;
  • Earth;
  • Soil;
  • Stones;
  • Gravel;
  • Noxious weeds, such as Japanese knotweed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: The Garden Waste Club

If I join, when will my brown bin be emptied?

Your bin will be collected on the same day it used to be collected before April. On joining the club, you will receive a sticker and details of collection dates. Bins must be put out by 7am on the day of collection.

What if I don't have a brown bin?

New or additional bins can be purchased and delivered for a £5 fee.

What if I move house?

If you move within the borough of Barrow, it shouldn't be a problem to have the collection service from your new home. Call FCC on 01229 431212 at least two weeks before you move.

What if I can't physically wheel my bin out to the kerbside?

An assisted collection is available for residents who are physically unable to manage the bin and where there is nobody living at the property who is capable of moving the bin. If this service is already in place for your refuse and recycling bins, it will be automatically arranged for the garden waste bin.

How do I join?

By visiting the website HERE or calling 01229 431212.

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