A new garden waste collection service for householders in Carmarthenshire is being launched this spring.

Residents who sign up to the scheme will be provided with a 240 litre wheeled bin which will be emptied fortnightly between April and November.

Householders who pay in full when they apply will receive a 15 per cent discount so it will cost £40.80 for the season. They can also choose to pay by direct debit with payments made in instalments, this will cost a total of £48.

Executive Board Member for the Environment Councillor Hazel Evans said: “The collection of garden waste is a chargeable service; the charge covers the hire of the bin and the costs of making the fortnightly collections. It is also fairer for residents who do not have a garden, who choose to compost at home, or who do not want to use the service.

“There are also other options available to residents. One of the most environmentally-friendly and cost-effective ways of dealing with garden waste is to home compost; or you can take your garden waste to a household waste recycling centre where it can be disposed of free of charge.”

Compost bins are available to buy from the council for a subsidised price of £12, which includes delivery.

Garden waste is taken to a central composting facility at Nantycaws, Carmarthen, where it is turned into compost or soil conditioner to be reused. It is also available for residents to buy from the recycling centres at Trostre (Llanelli), Wernddu (Ammanford) Nantycaws (Carmarthen) and Whitland.

To apply for garden waste collections or to find out more information, please visit carmarthenshire.gov.wales/gardenwaste