Maidstone Borough Council’s garden waste service is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.

The service was set up in May 2000 and since this time the amount composted has increased by a massive 500 per cent.

Leader of the council, Cllr Chris Garland, said: “This increase is phenomenal and shows just how serious we are about environmental issues and recycling. We are proud to offer such a comprehensive service for our residents, whether you choose to have your garden waste collected or you just want to compost at home, it is our aim to recycle as much as possible.

Garden waste is not included in domestic household waste collections and before the year 2000 it was up to residents to compost or dispose of their own green waste.

To celebrate the 10-year anniversary Maidstone council is offering residents a chance to take advantage of a special home composting offer.

Home composting remains the most environmentally friendly way of disposing of garden and some kitchen waste; it also provides a nutritious plant food for the garden. Now Maidstone council, in partnership with the Waste Improvement Network, is pleased to offer a compost bin from £14 per bin (plus delivery) and also a special offer of buy two and get the second half price.

To order your special offer compost bin call 0844 5714444 or visit www.maidstone.getcomposting.com or look out for the promotional stand in the Mall Chequers shopping centre, Maidstone from Tuesday, May 18 to Thursday, May 20.

Cllr Garland added: “Organic waste in a landfill site does not rot in the same way it would if composted. This is because it does not have access to air, causing it to produce gases such as methane, which is a damaging ‘greenhouse’ gas. Therefore it is much better for garden waste to be composted at home or collected by us and taken to a large composting facility.

“We would like to thank all the residents who continue to support our recycling efforts by composting at home or using our garden waste collection service. It really does make a difference to the borough.”

For more information call the environmental services helpline on 01622 602162 or log onto www.maidstone.gov.uk