The chips are up
The huge popularity of a service where experts visit residents’ homes to shred their green garden waste to provide them with chippings is prompting the purchase of more machines to cope with demand.
Warwickshire County Council’s Home Wood Chipping Service has been operating for the past five years and in this time 6,000 tonnes of green waste, that could have gone straight to landfill, has been shredded and reused in an environmentally friendly way.
More than 5,000 households have taken advantage of the service, which offers householders the chance to book a team of experts to shred their green garden waste for a single payment of just £15.
To cope with the demand three new chipper/shredder units are to go into service later this month to try and further reduce the amount of green waste going into landfill.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “Reusing waste is incredibly environmentally friendly and these new machines should increase productivity and yet give reduced running costs and produce an excellent product for householders.”
The three new machines will replace the existing two machines and offer an improved performance.
The size of the green waste the new machines will process is up by 25 per cent to 5’’(125mm), and these dual-purpose machines will also enable material to be chipped and or shredded.
Ken Simons, County Forestry Officer, said: “The new machines are based on ‘Greenmech’s’ shredder mobile which is in service with Worcestershire County Council. This design has been improved to meet the demands of our service, which is one of the longest running in the country. We are pleased to be using Greenmech machines, as not only is a shredder/mobile the only truck mounted chipper currently on the market, but the company has its headquarters in Alcester, Warwickshire.
“So, if you are a Warwickshire householder and have or plan to carry out hedge cutting or tree pruning that will produce woody material up to 125mm diameter and would like to recycle this green waste, then call our booking line on the number below.”
He said that wood chippings can be used straight away to create informal garden paths or used as a weed suppressant under mature hedges and established rose beds. Left in the bags or put into a composter they can after time be used as a garden mulch or soil improver.
Ken added: “And if you have too many chippings offer them to your neighbours or friends.”
The cost of a booking is £15 and can be made by calling 01926 738827 between 9am and 12.15pm Monday to Friday.