Free garden waste collection planned for Wiltshire

People living in Wiltshire can now apply to have their garden waste collected fortnightly for free.

Those living in the south, east and north of the county and wanting a green bin need to register online so it can be delivered before the service starts.

The service is part of improvements to Wiltshire Council's waste and recycling service which aims to divert recyclables from landfill.

The existing chargeable service remains in place until December.

A spokesman for the Conservative-run authority said the changes would mean everyone in the county will receive the same waste and recycling service.

"The changes are also designed to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, which will dramatically lower the amount the county's taxpayers spend on landfill tax.

"Up to 50,000 additional tonnes of waste is expected to be recycled or otherwise diverted from landfill over the next two years as a result of the council's changes.

"This will result in savings of more than £3m in landfill tax," he added.

Residents need to contact the council before 30 September to receive their bins ahead of the start in spring 2012.