From Tuesday 7 September, we are changing the garden waste collection day for some roads.
The garden waste service has been well supported by residents in the borough, with not only our committed customers continuing to use the service but a significant number of new customers subscribing to it. We value your continued custom and support during what has been a difficult year.
The biggest increase in subscribers has been those with either a collection day on a Tuesday or a Friday, which has created an imbalance in demand on those days of the week. In order to ensure that we can continue to provide a punctual, reliable and consistent service to all of our customers and to guarantee a more even workload for our collection teams, we are changing the collection days for some roads.
You will find below answers to frequently asked questions regarding the day changes.
How will I know if my collection day is changing?
If you are affected by a collection day change, you will receive a letter that mentions your new collection day. If you have a garden waste bin we will also leave a hanger on your last collection taking place on your former collection day (week commencing 30 August). If you do not receive a letter or hanger your collection day will not be changing. You can also check your collection day on the online directory at: southend.gov.uk/collectiondays.
How will I know what is my new collection day?
If you are affected by a collection day change, you will receive a letter that mentions your new collection day. If you have a garden waste bin we will also leave a hanger on your last collection taking place on your former collection day (week commencing 30 August). Your new garden waste collection day will be clearly written on the hanger and the letter. You can also check your collection day on the online directory at: southend.gov.uk/collectiondays.
When will my collection day change?
Your collection day change will come into effect from the week commencing 6 September 2021. If your usual collection day is a Tuesday and you have received a letter saying that your day will change, please present your garden waste on Wednesday 8 September instead. If your usual collection day is on Friday and you have received a letter saying that your day will change, please present your garden waste on Thursday 9 September instead.
Why is my garden waste collection day changing?
The garden waste service has seen a great response from residents in the borough, with not only our committed customers continuing to support the service but a significant number of new customers subscribing to it. The increase in the number of subscribers has been seen in areas with either a collection day on a Tuesday or a Friday, which has created an imbalance in demand on those days of the week. In order to ensure both a better workload for our operatives and that we can continue to provide a punctual, reliable and consistent service to all of our customers we are changing the collection days for a small number of roads.
Will I have to start sorting my recycling and waste differently?
No, changes are only affecting which day your garden waste will be collected on. Please keep placing your food waste in your food waste caddy, paper and card in the blue box for paper and card, recyclable plastic, tins and cans, and glass in your pink recycling sacks and any non-recyclable items such as crisp packets and polystyrene in your black bags on your usual collection day.
I currently have an assisted collection, how will these changes affect me?
Your assisted collections will continue and the crews will collect and return your garden waste bin to your collection point once they have emptied it. The only change will be that the crews will come and collect your garden waste bin on a different day if you receive a letter and a bin hanger to let you know your collection day is changing.
I use the garden waste sack service, how do I know when to present them?
We will write to all garden waste customers who will experience a day change whether they use the wheeled bin or the sack service.
In addition, any customers who purchase garden waste sacks for the first time will need to register their address with Veolia by completing and returning the reply slip on the leaflet provided with the sacks or call 0203 567 6955. During the process, Veolia will inform them of their collection day. You can also check your collection day on the online directory at: southend.gov.uk/collectiondays.
Please remember that garden waste sack customers need to renew their membership each year so that we know you still require the service.
If you still have questions about the collection day changes after reading this page, please fill out this form.