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A RECORD number of borough residents have signed up to have their green garden waste collected and recycled by the council.

Almost 2,000 people have already signed up to the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council scheme - an increase of 80 per cent on the number who had signed up at this point last year.

The surge in signups follows Green Watch campaign coverage of the scheme in The Gazette and The Basingstoke Extra.

Under the scheme, which costs £28 for the year, residents are entitled to 19 fortnightly collections of their green garden waste from March to December.

Waste including grass cuttings, hedge clippings, cut flowers, leaves, twigs and fruit fall can all be collected, provided the green refuse is placed in the special 120litre sacks provided by the council and left out for collection on the appropriate day. The waste is then composted in Alton and turned into Pro-Grow soil conditioner.

This year, collections begin on March 22.

You can sign up at any point throughout the year. However, those who register before March 1 will receive two sacks instead of the usual one.

Councillor Elaine Still, Cabinet member for the environment, said: "The service this year will be great value as it remains at last year's price, but with an extra collection.

"It is great that so many residents have already signed up for it.

"With the offer soon to expire, I would urge residents to sign up quickly to qualify for an extra free sack."

For more information, or to sign up to the service, call 01256 844844 or visit http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/greenwaste

10:29am Friday 29th February 2008

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