GARDEN WASTE SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW CLOSED!
We are no longer taking subscriptions for garden waste collections for 2024. We will be back in the new year for garden waste subscriptions for 2025.
If you have already subscribed for collections this year, then you will continue to receive garden waste collections until week ending 20 December 2024. Subscribers receive a maximum of 20 collections depending on when they subscribed. If you subscribed part way through the year, your subscription would only cover the number of collections remaining. A reminder to residents who subscribed before 30 September that it will take up to 5 working days for a subscription to activate on our system. For example, if you subscribe on Monday and your collection day is Tuesday then you would not get your first collection until the following collection date (i.e. the next fortnightly collection).
If your sticker does not arrive within 5-10 working days, you can still present your bin for collection (providing you have allowed 5 working days for your subscription to activate on our system) as crews will have a list that will identify your property as being subscribed.
Collections will start week commencing 18 March 2024 and finish week ending 20 December 2024. Subscribers will receive a maximum of 20 collections depending on when they subscribe. If you subscribe part way through the year, your subscription will only cover the number of collections that remain.
It can take up to 5 working days for a subscription to activate on our system. For example, if you subscribe on Monday and your collection day is Tuesday then you would not get your first collection until the following collection date (i.e. the next fortnightly collection).
If your sticker does not arrive within 5-10 working days you can still present your bin for collection (providing you have allowed 5 working days for your subscription to activate on our system) as crews will have a list that will identify your property as being subscribed.
What to put in your garden waste bin
- Grass cuttings
- Hedge and shrub clippings
- Plants and weeds
- Leaves, twigs and bark
- Cut flowers
- Windfalls (fallen fruit such as apples).
What not to put in (these items won't be collected)
- Soil, pot plant compost, turf, ash or garden chemicals
- Plastic (including plastic bags, bin liners, carrier bags or plant pots)
- Food or kitchen waste (including raw or cooked food)
- Stones or rubble
- DIY rubbish, timber or sawdust
- Animal waste or bedding
- Metal or glass.
We can't empty your garden waste bin if it
- Contains items that can’t be composted
- Contains any bags - garden waste must be loose and not in bags
- Is too full for the lid to close
- Is too heavy to empty safely.
If you have large amounts of heavy garden waste, you can split it over several garden waste collections, take it to the tip (also known as the household recycling centre) or alternatively it can be composted at home.
Alternatively, you can subscribe for multiple garden waste collections. If you already have additional garden waste bins please indicate the number that you want to pay for when you subscribe. If you do not already have the extra bin please call the council call centre on 0121 368 1177 (weekdays 8am to 5pm).
What happens to your garden waste
Your garden waste is taken to specialised sites in the region and using a process called open windrow composting is converted into a soil improver.