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Garden waste

Garden waste collection: how it works and what it costs

In many areas, garden waste is a separate subscription you sign up for with your council. Here's how subscriptions, renewals and permits work, and what can go in your garden waste bin.

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Image- a garden waste bin full of grass cuttings and leaves
Garden waste days

Get your garden waste days in the Loci app

Pop in your postcode to check Loci works where you live. Then download the free app to see your bin days and get a reminder the night before.

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How garden waste collection works

garden waste bin at the kerb
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Often a paid subscription

In England, councils are allowed to charge for garden waste. Many run it as a yearly subscription you sign up for, separate from your council tax.

Often a paid subscription

Usually every two weeks

Most garden waste collections run every two weeks, on a set day for your street.

Usually every two weeks

Some councils pause it

Some councils pause garden waste over winter or at Christmas, then start again in early January to collect Christmas trees.

Some councils pause it

Your subscription

Signing up, renewing and permits

Every council runs its own garden waste subscription. Here's what usually happens, from signing up to moving house.

Never miss a garden waste collection 

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What goes in your garden waste bin

 Quick guide

Rules vary by council, but most follow the same basics. If it grew in your garden and it isn't soil, it can usually go in. 

Yes: grass cuttings, leaves, weeds, flowers, plants and hedge trimmings.
Yes: grass cuttings, leaves, weeds, flowers, plants and hedge trimmings.
Small branches: cut them to fit, as many councils set a size limit. 
Small branches: cut them to fit, as many councils set a size limit.
No soil: soil, turf, stones and rubble go to your local recycling centre.
No soil: soil, turf, stones and rubble go to your local recycling centre.
No food: where garden waste is a paid service, food usually goes in your food caddy instead.
No food: where garden waste is a paid service, food usually goes in your food caddy instead.
No: plant pots, plastic bags, pet waste or Japanese knotweed.
No: plant pots, plastic bags, pet waste or Japanese knotweed.
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Green waste collection days, in your pocket 

Loci gets your collection days from your council's published schedule and reminds you the night before, including garden waste. Council Search takes you straight to your council's garden waste page to sign up or renew.

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Residents guides 

More bin guides 

Answers to the bin questions residents ask most. 

Food waste collections
Food waste collections

How your food caddy works and what goes in it.

Read the guide tail-right

Bin colours explained
Bin colours explained

What each bin colour usually means, and why it changes between councils.

Read the guide  tail-right

Christmas bin collections
Christmas bin collections

How Christmas changes your bin days, and how to recycle your tree.

Read the guide  tail-right

Bulky waste collection
Bulky waste collection

How to book your council's service, and other ways to get rid of large items.

Read the guide  tail-right

Which bin goes out this week?
Which bin goes out this week?

Alternate weeks, colour weeks and week A or B, explained.

Read the guide  tail-right

All bin guides
All bin guides

Every bin and recycling guide in one place, plus your council's page.

See all guides  tail-right

Garden waste collection: your questions answered

In many areas, you sign up for garden waste collection with your council and pay a yearly fee. You get a bin, sticker or permit, and your garden waste is usually collected every two weeks. Your council's website has the details for your area.

Your local community app

Garden waste days, reminders and council services for your area, free in one app.

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