Early distribution of ESB leaf bins begins on 1 September

The Bocholt Waste Management and Services Company (ESB) will be distributing additional organic waste bins for leaves from 1 September this year. Due to the ongoing drought, many trees in the town are shedding their leaves much earlier than usual. Residents with a large amount of fallen leaves on their properties can borrow an additional 240-litre bin for the season.

The bins are issued during normal opening hours at the ESB recycling centre at Schaffeldstraße 74. It is open Tuesday to Friday from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm and on Saturdays from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm; the facility is closed on Mondays. For the seasonal period, the ESB charges a usage fee of €24.00 per leaf bin. Anyone without their own means of transport can use the council's collection service. For a flat fee of 10.00 euros per collection, the bin will be delivered directly to your property once you have provided your name and address in advance by telephone or email.

The emptied leaf bins are collected at the usual fortnightly interval, together with the regular organic waste bins. The collection service ends at the turn of the year; from January onwards, the bins will no longer be collected. The service is limited to the built-up urban area of Bocholt. Properties in outlying areas that do not have a regular organic waste bin collection service are excluded from this scheme.

To reduce transport and energy consumption, the borrowed bins may remain on private property permanently once the season has ended. Anyone who chooses this option will automatically be sent the new seasonal sticker by the ESB in the following late summer. Alternatively, the ESB will take the bins back at the recycling centre once the usage period has ended, or will collect them from your property for a transport fee of 10.00 euros.

From an environmental perspective, the ESB recommends leaving fallen leaves in the garden under trees, shrubs and hedges wherever possible. This layer serves as a natural shelter and wintering ground for insects and small soil-dwelling organisms. Furthermore, the decomposing leaves act as a natural source of nutrients and protect the soil from further drying out.

Any enquiries can be directed to Daniel Heinen (Head of Waste Recycling, Werstoffhoff) on tel.: 02871 953-3401, email: daniel.heinen(at)esb.bocholt(dot)de.