Wednesday 26 April 2023
Guernsey Waste is looking for a local business or businesses to help run a garden waste collection trial.
Households can currently take their garden material to the green waste site at Chouet, or to a private facility at Le Friquet. If the trial proves successful, they will also have the option of a regular collection service.
This would operate along the same lines as similar services in the UK, where many councils provide garden waste pick-ups. Households will pay an annual charge to take part.
In a survey carried out in 2021, around a quarter of local households (22%) said they would pay for a regular collection service if it was available, with a similar proportion saying they would be likely to.
The trial is expected to operate for around three months this summer. It will enable Guernsey Waste to better understand the options, practical requirements, cost and long-term viability of a collection scheme.
The site at Chouet, which currently attracts around 7,000 vehicles a month during the summer, is set to close this summer to enable preparation for a new quarry in the area.
Guernsey Waste has planning permission for a new drop-off point at the nearby Mont Cuet landfill site, where all green waste material is currently processed. This will be smaller than the current green waste facility, but the introduction of a collection service is expected to reduce the number of vehicles visiting the site. This will reduce the potential for queuing during busy periods.
Guernsey Waste Recycling Officer, Ben Henry, said that the collection scheme would be another option for households to deal with their garden waste.
"Where households have the space, we would always encourage them to compost as much of their garden material at home as possible, along with any suitable kitchen waste. That also saves them the trouble of having to drop off their green waste somewhere, and can provide natural fertiliser that is rich in nutrients and perfect for the garden," he said.
"Where that is not viable, households can bring their garden material to us directly, or use the paid for drop-off point at Le Friquet. The introduction of a regular collection will provide another option."
Guernsey Waste currently provides subsidised home-composting kits through local garden centres for just £10.
Mr Henry said the collection service would need to cover all its costs from the annual charge that households would pay to participate.
Any local businesses interested in being involved in providing the trial can contact Mr Henry for more details, either by email on recycle@gov.gg or by telephoning 01481 221234.
Potential providers who are likely to meet the requirements will then be invited to meet with Guernsey Waste officers to discuss the opportunity in more detail, to help identify the best model for taking the collection trial forward. They will then be invited to submit costed proposals.
The opt-in process for households interested in the trial will be carried out separately.
The deadline for expressions of interest is midday on 22 May 2023.
