MORE than 16,700 households in Basingstoke are using the council's garden waste collection service.

This initiative not only helps residents recycle their garden waste but also significantly reduces carbon footprints and limits trips to the tip.

This summer, the borough council reported record participation in its year-round service, which includes a brief two-week pause during Christmas.

Last year's count showed that more than 5,200 tonnes of garden waste collected from residents was transformed into peat-free compost.

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Cllr Laura James, cabinet member for residents' services and housing, said: "Our garden waste collection service offers residents a convenient and more carbon-friendly way to recycle green waste from their gardens if they normally take it to the tip.

"The service provides those people who regularly tend to their gardens with the opportunity to pay for the council to collect their garden waste every fortnight.

"And it is proving extremely popular, with more people than ever choosing to recycle their garden waste from home and cut carbon, supporting the borough’s climate emergency declaration."

The council's annual collection service costs from £56.65 to £82.40 depending on the size of the bin needed.

There is an initial fee of £41.20 for the brown wheeled bin, which is charged only once.

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Discounts are available for those receiving housing benefit or council tax support.

Subscribers to the council’s garden waste collection service are given either a 240-litre or 140-litre brown bin.

Year-round fortnightly collections are made from these bins, with the only break being for two weeks over Christmas.

After the festive period, the council also collects real Christmas trees.

More information about the service is available on Basingstoke council's website.