What happens to garden waste?

Find out what happens to the garden waste that is collected from your household and recycling centres.

Did you know?

When garden waste is collected from your household or recycling centre, it is turned into compost that can be used by farmers, growers and landscapers.

Where your garden waste goes

Garden waste in Essex is taken to an open windrow composting facility. The majority is sent to Birch Airfield Composting Services in Colchester.

The recycling process

the garden waste is shredded, mixed and laid out in long piles called windrows
the piles are turned regularly, encouraging bacteria to grow
this produces heat and helps to speed up the composting process
after 8 weeks, most of the material has broken down
a large mechanical sieve is used to grade the compost into different products
the finished compost is used by farmers and landscapers

Watch the video

Find out more about what happens to your garden waste:

What happens to your garden waste in Essex?

Soil

The presence of soil in garden waste lowers the temperature of the windrows, which can stop the natural composting process. This is why we are unable to accept soil or excavation material, apart from that which is attached to plants.

If residents have soil they need to dispose of, limited amounts are accepted at some recycling centres. Check which recycling centres accept soil.

The soil collected at recycling centres is screened and used in land remediation.