Waste Disposal - The Willow Gardens Management
Description: As a private estate we do not receive the street cleaning services which the Council provides elsewhere with the exception of North Acre, Hazel Close and Cherry Close. Our litter remover (Peter) walks the estate in all weathers regularly picking up bottles, drink cans, chocolate wrappers, crisp packets, paper and anything else you care to […]

# Waste Disposal

All waste should be disposed of properly and safely. | Image © Finchley Arrow.

As a private estate we do not receive the street cleaning services which the Council provides elsewhere with the exception of North Acre, Hazel Close and Cherry Close.

Our litter remover (Peter) walks the estate in all weathers regularly picking up bottles, drink cans, chocolate wrappers, crisp packets, paper and anything else you care to mention from discarded food waste to babies nappies. He has also been known to remove the odd washing machine, TV, mattress, chair, door, bed, wash basin, bath, toilet, car tyre, etc… – often returning these items to their rightful owners!

Recently there has been a big increase in large items and excess waste being dumped around The Willow Gardens and on the adjoining footpath; Victor Walk. It would seem they are being left by a small minority, but all residents should be aware of the following:

- You are responsible for the removal of your own household waste. If your wheelie bin is full you must make some other arrangement to dispose of your waste. Do not leave black bin liners cardboard boxes and other unwanted items outside your front door, it is offensive to other residents and frequently attracts vermin (rats and foxes). Food waste is often left scattered around from bin bags which have been torn open, please remember the bin men will only remove rubbish which has been left inside your wheelie bin.
- If you have an unwanted household item that will not fit inside your wheelie bin you must not dump it on the estate. Dumping rubbish or fly tipping is a criminal offence for which you will be prosecuted. Wherever possible we will identify the property where the items came from and pass on the details to Barnet’s Environmental Health Department. In a recent case of dumping, we passed on the relevant details, and there is now a prosecution pending. You have been warned!

#### Disposal Of Items Too Large To Fit In A Wheelie Bin

Civic Amenity & Recycling Centre, Summers Lane, Finchley, N12 0RF

Take your unwanted rubbish to a council recycling site where you can dispose of it free of charge. The nearest recycling centre to the Willow Gardens is the Civil Amenity & Recycling Centre in Summers Lane, North Finchley. They are open 7 days a week: 8am to 4pm Mon to Sat and 9am to 4pm on Sundays. Or you can contact the Barnet council Special Collection Service on (020) 8359 5043, they will collect fridges freezers washing machines or other electrical goods for a flat charge of £38 per item. For non electrical goods the charge is £17 per item. Unfortunately, the council no longer provides a free skip service.

Alternatively speak to one of the gardening team or to Peter who also keeps the estate free of litter. For a small charge they will take away and dispose of most items (with the exception of fridges and freezers) or they will put you in touch with a cheap collection service. Do not leave unwanted household items outside your property/front door unless you have already made arrangements to have them collected.

#### Electrical Items

If you have any electrical items that you have replaced, the retailer of the new item is obliged by law under Waste Electrical & Electronic (WEEE) regulations to take in the old item without charge so that it can be safely recycled/disposed of. If it is a large item and is delivered to your home, collection of the old item is usually included in the delivery charge, ask and make it a condition of your purchase.

#### Recycling Boxes

Recycling boxes are provided for a variety of household waste.

Black and blue recycling boxes are available and are suitable for a variety of household items. If you need to order a new recycling box, or want to know what should and should not be places in each box, please visit the Barnet website.

Recently some residents have been misinformed that that the small black and blue recycling boxes should be left out on the grass verges for collection. In other Courts this has been done for some time. What often happens is that other waste is put next to it but is not collected because it is not recyclable waste. This is wrong! When wheelie bins, then the recycling boxes appeared, it was agreed each time, with Barnet Council that there was nowhere within the design of the estate that bins and boxes could be left for road side collection, and it was negotiated that all bins and boxes would be collected from the front of each property. In future if your box is not collected from your house, call Barnet Council on (020) 8359 4600 and complain, If you are then still having problems about recycling collections contact Ted Sofocli through the contact us page.

#### Green Wheelie Bins

The green wheelie bins are intended for green waste only. This includes vegetable and fruit food waste and all garden waste including grass cuttings, but nothing in a plastic bag. If you have “messy” waste like peelings, wrap them in a sheet of newspaper before placing it in your green bin.