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Christmas and New Year refuse
collection changes
As Boxing Day and the New Year Bank Holiday fall on a Monday, there will be changes to refuse collections affecting all properties in Maidstone for two weeks between Monday 26 December until Friday 6 January.
All normal collections will be delayed by one day: Monday collections are moved to Tuesday, and so on, until Friday’s collections are rescheduled for Saturday.
All garden waste and bulky collections will be suspended while the crews assist other collection teams.
All services return to normal on Monday 9 January.
Waste tonnages can increase by up to 20% over Christmas, greatly increasing the recycling opportunities. Residents are advised to visit www.maidstone.gov.uk/mybin or email recycling@maidstone.gov.uk to check if an item can be recycled and any excess recycling can be placed in a cardboard box or similar open container.
Due to the increase in tonnage all collections will run slightly slower than usual, residents are reminded that bins must be available from 6.00am and in addition, please park cars considerately so that the collection vehicles can gain access into all roads.
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12 Waste Tips of Christmas
We are all more aware than ever of just how important it is to make every effort we can to be more sustainable – and for many of us that starts at home. Christmas is a time of year when the potential for waste, over consumption and mass shopping is high, but small changes can make all the difference in reducing our environmental footprint. Throughout this newsletter find 12 simple ways to have a less wasteful Christmas...
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Tip 1
Buy rechargeable batteries and save yourself £1,000 per set in their lifetime. Rechargeable batteries are best for high drain, regular use items. Get two sets so you have one always ready.
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Tip 2
De-ice your fridge and freezer before Christmas. This allows you to see what you have in stock and to cook it, whilst also giving you extra space to use over the festive season.
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Tip 3
Are you hosting this year? Before the big day ask your guests what they want to eat on the big day. They are then guaranteed to eat what you cook and there’s less wastage too!
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 Heart of Kent Hospice Christmas Tree Recycling
Back for the third year running, volunteers from Heart of Kent Hospice will be taking the hassle out of recycling your real Christmas tree within selected postcodes in the borough.
The Hospice will collect real Christmas trees from residents within the following postcodes from 6 - 8 January 2023: ME14 3 / ME14 4 / ME14 5 / ME15 6 / ME15 7 / ME15 8 / ME16 0 / ME16 8 / ME19 4 / ME19 5 / ME19 6 / ME20 6 / ME20 7. The Heart of Kent Hospice asks for a donation for collecting your tree, with a suggested donation of £10 per tree. All donations will go directly to Heart of Kent Hospice, allowing them to continue to provide outstanding care to people living with a terminal illness in our community, making a difference at one of the most difficult times in their lives.
Registration is now open and will close on Monday 2nd January 2023 at midnight!
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Tip 4
Check your fridge temperature! Use a thermometer or visit lovefoodhatewaste for ways of checking.
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Tip 5
When did you last check your kitchen cupboards? There’s no point buying what you already have in stock!
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Tip 6
Prevent those impulse buys and before going to the shops, write a shopping list.
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National Tree Week
National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration. When the country’s conservation sector, volunteer groups and tree-lovers come together to plant thousands of trees to mark the start of the annual tree planting season.
The winter planting season is upon us so it’s the perfect time to get outdoors and get planting. Trees and hedgerows are some of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against climate change. And the good news is that we can all make a difference by planting a tree! Whether you plant a tree in a pot on your doorstep, a hedge in your garden or organise a community event at a local park, every tree will help us grow a greener future together. Visit The Tree Council website for more information!
Free trees for schools and communities!
The Woodland Trust are offering free trees for schools and communities to make sure everybody in the UK has the chance to plant a tree! Choose your pack(s) from a list of trees & hedges and fill out an application form. The Woodland Trust are currently taking applications for trees to be delivered in MARCH 2023. Applications for March delivery are expected to close in mid-December (this may be sooner depending on stock availability) so apply soon to avoid missing out!
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Week Street Blitz
 In partnership with One Maidstone, the Street Cleansing Team undertook another blitz clean of one of the town centre hotspots for litter and damage. The team tackled the top end of Week Street between Sessions House and KFC and McDonald's. Tasks included jet washing the street, chewing gum removal and maintenance work to lampposts. These areas always look nice and refreshed following the team's blitz work!
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Tip 7
Who remembers who gave them last year's Christmas socks? Buy someone an experience, it will be remembered forever and so will you.
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Tip 8
Have a drawer and wardrobe review. You can recycle unwanted clothing via your local charity shop, making room for any fashion gifts you may receive.
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Tip 9
When you recycle make sure all bottles, cans, jars and boxes are empty, before being placed loose in your green recycling bin.
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#LitterHero
Our #LitterHero this month is young Bredhurst resident, Lara Spice!
Lara organised a community litter pick in Bredhurst, as part of her school community project, to help keep the village clean. It was a great success with around 30 helpers who collected lots of rubbish and afterwards enjoyed tea and cakes in Blacksmiths Barn. Very well done to Lara and all the brilliant volunteers!
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 Want to get involved with litter picking...
MBC co-ordinates groups of litter pickers across the borough and is always looking for more! Do you think you could be a #LitterHero? If so, please contact below. You will be put in touch with your local team and provided with tools and bags.
Do you know a local litter picker who deserves some recognition? Contact us below and tell us more! Thank you for your support.
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Your Wildlife Friendly Garden
As we head into winter, a lot of wildlife will be looking for places to hibernate in your garden, but some species, such as birds and small mammals, will still be out and about looking for food. There's plenty you can do this winter to help your garden wildlife!
Provide the birds visiting your garden with food by putting out some bird feeders. Keep them topped up with fat-rich food like peanuts, suet products and sunflower hearts. The short days and cold nights mean that every calorie counts for garden birds in winter! Also keep bird baths topped up and remove any ice that builds up throughout the colder periods. You can make a simple bird bath using a plant pot saucer with a few stones added in the middle, so birds can perch and drink.
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Although it is tempting, avoid turning your compost bin or heap as it may be sheltering hibernating wildlife such as hedgehogs and other small mammals, as well as reptiles, amphibians and even bumblebees. Wait until April, when disturbance will be minimal.
Looking to add something new to your garden this winter? Why not try planting bare-root native shrubs or trees such as hawthorn, holly, silver birch, hazel or guelder rose. These will provide a mix of flowers for pollinators, berries for birds and leaves for caterpillars (meaning food for baby birds).
Finally, why not try creating a home for solitary bees to hibernate this winter! Or drill holes into logs or pieces of wood or collect bamboo canes and the stems of other hollow-stemmed plants, such as teasel and sunflower, and pack them length ways into a wooden box.
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Tip 10
Why waste money on wrapping paper? Buy a gift bag that can be re-used every year.
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Tip 11
If you receive Christmas cards make sure to recycle them or, if possible, re-use them as gift tags next year.
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Tip 12
Write a gift list. Christmas is much better if you receive what you really want.
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If you have any tips about gardening or how to minimise waste which others could use please let us know by emailing us at gogreengowild@maidstone.gov.uk
If you have enjoyed reading our Environmental Services update, why not forward this email onto your friends and family so they can 'Stay Connected' to news from Maidstone Borough Council.
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