New fortnightly service will be available to all residents from May 14.

Midweek Herald: The new green waste bins ready for distribution. Picture: EDDCThe new green waste bins ready for distribution. Picture: EDDC (Image: Archant)

East Devon residents can now sign up online to a new fortnightly green waste collection service being introduced by the district council next month

The kerbside collection which begins on Monday, May 14, will make it so much easier for residents to dispose of their green waste, which will be composted in East Devon and used by local farms.

Over the next few days, the district’s 69,000 households will each receive a bin hanger giving more details of the new service which will cost £48 a year, with an introductory offer of a free 240ltr green bin.

The service will be provided for 11 months of the year with a four week break at Christmas and more than 2,000 East Devon residents have already registered an early interest in the service.

Cllr Tom Wright, the council’s portfolio holder for the environment, said: “Preparations for our new service are now well advanced. Our first batch of 5,000 green waste bins have arrived and will be ready to be delivered from late April to customers who sign up. At £48 a year – around £2 per collection - this is really good value for money and less than the fuel you would spend to drive to a recycling centre. You’ll have no slugs and snails left in your car either and I speak from experience!”

* Residents can sign up for the service online at www.eastdevon.gov.uk/green