Garden Waste Subscription FAQs
Here you can find answers to all the most frequently asked questions about the garden waste subscription service.
Here you can find answers to all the most frequently asked questions about the garden waste subscription service.
Residents should continue use their green lidded bin until after their last green lidded bin collection which will be either w/c 31st August or 7th September depending on their collection schedule.
How do I sign up?
You can subscribe online by visiting the Garden Waste Subscription Portal
If need additional support to complete your subscrption please call Customer Services on 0345 129 4870.
When do I need to pay?
Payment must be made in full before the service begins.
How can I pay for my garden waste subscription?
You can pay by card for the garden waste subscription whilst signing up online or when calling our contact centre. Cheque and postal order would be accepted only by applying in person via our receptions.
Cash is no longer accepted by the council.
Who can subscribe?
Only domestic households in eligible residential properties within the Borough.
For business wste collections please visit Business waste and recycling
When does the Service Year run?
From Sept - Sept each year. You will have until the end of July 2027 to subscribe for the current year.
How much does it cost?
The subscription fee is set annually. This year it is set at £46 for the year. The full annual fee applies no matter when you join during the year.
Do I have to renew the service, or does it renew automatically?
You must renew your subscriptions yourself; they do not automatically renew. The window for renewing subscriptions will open at the end of April 2027.
How many collections will I receive?
You will receive up to 25 collections per Service Year. Collections pause for two weeks over Christmas and New Year.
What is a garden waste permit?
A sticker showing that your bin is entitled to be emptied. A separate permit is issued for each subscribed bin.
When will I receive the permit to stick on the bin/s?
It will take up to 15 working days for your permit to be delivered, however the crews will see on their in-cab system that you have a valid subscription in the event your first collection is due before your permit arrives.
Where should I put the permit?
On the body of the bin, under the handle, facing the road.
When should I put my bin out?
Place the bin at your usual collection pointby 6:00am on collection day.
You can find you scheduled collection day by visiting our Find Your Bin Day Page.
What can I put in the garden waste bin?
When the new service starts, you will only be aloud to place garden waste in your green-lidded bin.
- grass
- leaves
- weeds (not Japanese Knotweed or Ragwort)
- flowers and plants
- hedge clipping or pruning's
- branches and twigs
- windfall fruit
If any other waste is found in your bin upon collection it will not be emptied.
Food waste should be put out for weekly collection in your food caddy.
What happens if I move within the borough?
Your subscription can move with you. You must:
- Tell the Council so a new permit can be issued
- Remove the old permit
- Attach your new permit to the bin at your new address
- Request a bin if the property does not have one
Animal pet bedding
Unfortunately, this is not accepted for the garden waste collections. This type of waste must now be placed in a securely tied bag and disposed of in the general waste bin or alternatively use the following link for information on http://www.getcomposting.com/
Discounts for bin subscriptions
There are no discounts available for the subscriptions. The annual subscription fee is £46 for Sept 2026-2027.
Why are you charging for this service?
Collecting garden waste is a discretionary service which the collection authority are permitted to make a charge for and, like many other Local Authorities in the area, the Council has approved the decision to implement a charge to cover the cost of collection.
The collection of garden waste is not considered a core service that Councils are required to provide and more than 65% of local authorities across England are already charging for this service, many of which have been doing so for several years.
Residents will only pay for the service if they opt-in to the scheme and it remains free for residents to dispose of their garden waste at household waste recycling centres or they can purchase a subsidised compost bin to compost at home.
Can you remove my bin?
Unused bins will not be collected as they are allocated to the property.
Can I cancel my subscription?
Yes, at any time. However, refunds are only available in specific circumstances. Check your terms and conditions (PDF, 132 KB) for more information.
If your question isn't listed above please contact our waste and recycling team at Alliance Environmental who will be able to help.
