Waste and Recycling

Green Waste Recycling Scheme

Dover District Council operates a fortnightly collection of green waste to approximately 22,000 properties across the district. The collection takes place for 50 weeks of the year and only stops for two weeks over the Christmas period each year. To find out if you are on the green waste collection scheme, or to check your collection day please use our collection day finder.

Since the introduction of the scheme in August 2005 over 6000 tonnes of garden waste have been collected and composted locally, this is waste that may otherwise of ended up in landfill.

Recycling Garden Waste - Special Offer

How to use the scheme

A green reusable sack is issued at the start of the scheme or issued to a new resident at a property.

Up to 15 bags / containers of a similar size to our collection sack can be put out per household on the collection day. Please ensure that your bag / container is not heavier than 20kgs and can be easily handled by one person. Please note that large builders bags will not be taken due to their size and handling regardless of their weight.

On the day of collection please ensure that your waste is out by 7am on the kerbside or edge of your property if you do not have a kerb.

Please note that your normal refuse collection will no longer take green waste.

What can I put out for collection?

Yes Please

Grass Cuttings
Leaves
Weeds
Dead flowers and plants from the garden
Light garden prunings
Hedge trimmings
Small branches (one inch or less in diameter)
Untreated wood chippings
Windfalls of fruit

No Thank You

Waste from your kitchen, including tea bags, vegetable peelings and food waste
Rubble
Soil
Food or household waste
Plastic and flower pots
Animal bedding
Logs

Why recycle this waste?

In reality green waste that is sent to landfill is unable to decompose properly because, squashed under all the other waste, it doesn’t have any access to air. So instead methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is produced which contributes to global warming. When you send your green waste to be composted you are not only helping to produce a good quality soil improver you are doing your bit to reduce global warming too!

Some questions that you may have…

Why am I not part of the scheme?

The scheme has been introduced in two phases, at the current time there are no plans to roll this out further. However, we are currently looking at our new contract for October 2008 and will be able to confirm shortly what scheme will be available thereafter.

I am not part of the scheme, will my green waste still be collected as part of normal refuse?

Although you should try and compost your green waste at home or take it to a Household Waste Recycling Centre (your local tip), we realise that it some cases this is not possible. Therefore if you place your green waste out for your normal refuse collection it will be taken but this will be placed into landfill and not recycled.

Will my assisted collection for refuse be extended to include the green waste scheme?

Yes, this will automatically be transferred over. If you can not carry your green waste out for collection and are not on the assisted collection list then please contact us on 01304 872428.

What other containers can I use?

Reusable bags, old sand / compost bags, green garden waste bags, buckets, and many more.
Large builders bags will not be taken.

Where does my green waste go?

All green waste collected is taken to a local licensed composting facility, provided by Kent County Council. Here it is shredded and placed into linear heaps, called windrows where it will naturally compost for a number of weeks.

Any other questions, we are here to help!

The Customer Services team are always happy to offer their assistance with any matters concerning the green waste scheme or other recycling services. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions or like to comment on the scheme.
Recycling Helpline - 01304 872428
E-mail: waste@dover.gov.uk

Recycle for Dover District

Dover District Council Wasteline: 01304 872428

E-mail: waste@dover.gov.uk