Garden Waste Collection Scheme: Brown bins

This page explains how to join the Garden Waste Collection Scheme with brown bin collections. It includes charges, discounts and what happens at renewal.

Annual charges for brown bin collections are:

• £94 per bin as standard
• £53 per bin with discount

You qualify for the discount if you receive Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support or Universal Credit (housing element). If you stop receiving benefits after you join, you must let us know.

We collect payment, in advance, by direct debit.

Our standard brown wheelie bins hold 240 litres and measure 1070mm high x 581mm wide x 735mm deep.

How to join the scheme for brown bin collections

Use our online form to join the scheme for brown bin collections. We'll ask for:

• your contact details
• the address where collections will take place
• the number of brown bins you need (make sure you have somewhere to store them)
• your bank details to set up your direct debit

If you are rejoining the scheme (you've had collections before):

• if you left because we couldn't collect payment and it's been less than 12 months, we’ll backdate your contract start date
• if it’s more than 12 months since you left the scheme, regardless of the reason, we’ll generate a new contract/agreement
• if your previous subscription was terminated because you contaminated your bin, you must wait 3 months before you can rejoin

Join the Garden Waste Collection Scheme and get a brown bin

What happens next

After you submit the form requesting to start brown bin collections, we’ll review your submission and check availability. Once approved, we will:

• request payment (by direct debit which you set up during your application)
• deliver your brown bin within 20 working days of the payment clearing
• add you to the garden waste collection rounds
• send a copy of the agreement to you
• if you already receive assisted collections we'll include your brown bin too

If you haven't already, check your bin collection day and sign up for reminders.

What happens at renewal

Subscriptions renew automatically when you sign up for brown bin collections.

Around 6 weeks before the renewal date we'll send you an invoice for the next 12 months. If you wish to continue, you don't need to do anything, we'll take your direct debit payment on the renewal date.

If we can't take payment because your direct debit has changed and you didn't tell us, your subscription will lapse, garden waste collections will stop and we'll retrieve your brown bin.

Looking after your brown bin

You are responsible for maintaining your brown bin and what goes inside it.

If your brown bin gets lost or stolen or damaged:

• see How to request bins, food caddies and sacks which includes charges and how to request replacement bins
• if your brown bin is damaged by our crew, you don't need to do anything as they will log it and arrange a replacement free of charge

Check what you can put in your brown bin and pick up our top tips to avoid missed collection at What goes in the brown bin or sacks.

If we have to remove your bin because of contamination you can’t re-join for 3 months and we won't provide any refunds.