1. Introduction

1.1 The aim of this policy is to promote responsible waste management across all Council allotment sites, ensuring that allotment plots are maintained in a safe, tidy and environmentally responsible manner for the benefit of tenants, neighbouring residents and the wider community.
Tenants are encouraged to follow the waste hierarchy by prioritising the reduction, reuse and recycling of materials before considering disposal.
1.2 This Policy applies to all Tenants holding an Allotment Tenancy Agreement with Gainsborough Town Council at any Council-managed allotment site, including Foxby Hill, Love Lane, North Warren, Showfield and Spital Hill.
1.3 This policy will also be used by Council officers and Members when considering allotment-related matters.
1.4 Tenants must not bring household waste, commercial waste, or unwanted items onto an allotment site. None of the Council’s allotment sites are licensed waste disposal facilities.
Bringing waste onto an allotment site may constitute a breach of environmental legislation and may result in enforcement action in accordance with Section 6 of this policy and the terms of the Allotment Tenancy Agreement.

2. Composting

2.1 Tenants are encouraged to compost as much green waste as possible.
2.2 Green waste that cannot be composted, such as diseased plant material or invasive weeds, should be securely bagged and taken to the Gainsborough Household Waste and Recycling Centre, Longwood Road, Gainsborough.
Opening times can be found at:
https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/gainsborough-recycling-centre
2.3 To prevent unwanted green waste affecting neighbouring plots, tenants are encouraged to maintain a composting area or compost bin within their allotment plot.
2.4 The burning of waste on allotment plots should only be considered as a last resort. See Section 5 of this policy.

3. Reuse, Recycle / Donate

3.1 Where practical, materials and items that are no longer required, such as timber, pallets, pots and similar gardening materials, should be reused or recycled.
3.2 Tenants may offer unwanted items to other allotment tenants for reuse. With the agreement of the Council, items may also be donated for redistribution to other tenants where appropriate.

4. Skip & Gainsborough Household Waste and Recycling Centre

4.1 Each allotment site is allocated a budget for skip provision during each financial year. The Council reserves the right to amend, suspend or withdraw this provision at any time.
4.2 Only waste generated from allotment activities may be placed in a skip provided by the Council. Household waste, commercial waste, and items brought from home must not be deposited in skips. See Section 1.3.
4.3 Where a skip is unavailable, tenants must remove and dispose of unwanted materials responsibly using appropriate recycling or waste disposal facilities, including the Gainsborough Household Waste and Recycling Centre.
Materials must not be accumulated, stacked or stored on allotment plots for prolonged periods.
4.4 Any accumulation of materials considered excessive to the tenant’s immediate allotment requirements, prejudicial to health, or likely to cause a nuisance must be removed when requested by the Council.
Failure to comply with such a request may result in enforcement action, including termination of the tenancy where appropriate.

5. Bonfires

5.1 Bonfires should only be used as a last resort for the disposal of allotment waste. Tenants should first consider composting, reuse, recycling and disposal at an authorised waste facility.
5.2 Bonfires are only permitted between 1 November and 28 February each year, subject to compliance with this policy.
5.3 Only dry vegetation and similar combustible garden waste should be burned to minimise smoke production and avoid causing a nuisance.
5.4 Bonfires must only be lit when weather conditions are suitable. Fires must not be lit when smoke is likely to affect neighbouring plots, nearby residents, roads or public areas.
5.5 Bonfires must not be lit during periods of fog, mist or poor visibility.
5.6 All fires must be contained within a suitable incinerator, metal container or burning barrel.
5.7 Fires must be positioned well away from trees, hedges, shrubs, fences, sheds, greenhouses and any other combustible materials.
5.8 Tenants must have sufficient water available to extinguish a fire if required. This may include full watering cans, buckets of water or another suitable means of fire control.
5.9 The following must not be burned under any circumstances:
• Plastics
• Rubber
• Treated timber
• Household waste
• Commercial waste
• Any material likely to produce dark smoke, toxic fumes or offensive odours
Accelerants such as petrol, diesel or similar flammable liquids must not be used to start or maintain a fire.
5.10 All bonfires must be supervised at all times and must not cause a nuisance to neighbouring residents or other allotment tenants.
Fires must be fully extinguished before the tenant leaves the allotment site.
5.11 Where concerns arise regarding poor waste management, accumulations of waste, smoke nuisance or other environmental issues, the Council may work with the Environmental Health service at West Lindsey District Council to investigate and resolve the matter.
5.12 Failure to comply with this policy may result in enforcement action in accordance with Section 6 of this policy and the terms of the Allotment Tenancy Agreement.

6. Enforcement

6.1 Where a tenant is found to be in breach of this policy, the Council will normally seek to resolve the matter through advice and informal engagement in the first instance.
6.2 Where the breach continues, or where the matter is of a more serious nature, the Council may issue a written notice requiring the tenant to remedy the breach within a specified timescale.
6.3 Failure to comply with a written notice may result in further action being taken in accordance with the terms of the Allotment Tenancy Agreement, including termination of the tenancy.
6.4 The Council reserves the right to take immediate action, including tenancy termination, where there is a significant risk to health and safety, environmental harm, unlawful waste disposal, fire risk, or any other serious breach of the Allotment Tenancy Agreement.
6.5 Nothing within this policy shall prevent the Council from referring matters to the appropriate regulatory or enforcement authority where required.