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Garden waste

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Garden waste collections are changing for 2023. In 2023 the garden waste collection service will be a subscription only service.

If you would like to have your garden waste collected, you need to subscribe and pay £35 a year.

The £35 charge will cover 20 collections from late March to December 2023.    Please be aware that the fortnightly garden waste collection dates are only available when a household has subscribed to the garden waste collection service.   

If you only have a small amount of garden waste why not try composting at home

Sign up and subscribe for £35 a year

Find out more about garden waste becoming subscription only.

 

Catch up garden waste collection

Our crews will pop round during weeks beginning 13 and 20 March to collect garden waste from the winter months. All garden waste, including any chopped up Christmas trees, must be inside your bin with the lid closed.

From 13 March, please put your garden waste bin out on your usual bin day to be collected.

If your garden waste bin is not collected week commencing 13 March, please put your bin out on your usual bin day week beginning 20 March.

If we missed emptying your garden waste bin during the two catch-up weeks, please report this online by the end of the day on Friday 24 March 2023.

What to put in your garden waste bin

  • grass cuttings
  • hedge and shrub clippings
  • plants and weeds
  • leaves, twigs and bark
  • cut flowers
  • windfalls

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

Sign up and subscribe for £35 a bin per year

If you do not already have the extra bin please call the council call centre on 0121 368 1177 (weekdays 08:00-17:30).

What happens to your garden waste

Your garden waste is composted and turned into a soil conditioner called CARE compost, available at the Household Recycling Centre - £2 for a 40 litre bag. Payment is made using a meter – please bring two £1 coins. If you are visiting the tip to only purchase this, you do not need to book your visit.   If you are bringing rubbish or recycling to dispose of as well you need to book an appointment. 

Please note that currently we do not have any CARE compost in stock. Once stock is available this webpage will be updated.