Terms and conditions for the garden waste collection service

About the subscription

1. The service runs from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025 which includes 12 collections, one every four weeks. Please note there will be no garden waste collections after 20 December 2024 until 21 January 2025. Please check the website for your collection dates.
2. You can subscribe to the service at any time throughout the subscription period, but will be charged the full annual fee. There is no price reduction for subscriptions made during the year, where you get fewer collections.
3. If there is evidence of abuse of the service or misuse of the brown bin by the resident, then your subscription may be cancelled and the bin removed.
4. You may cancel your subscription at any time during the subscription period. There are no refunds or part refunds for the cancellation of the service part way through the year.

About your payments

5. The annual charge for the garden waste collection service is £53 per bin which includes 12 collections, one every four weeks.
6. Payment is required in full, in advance and is non-refundable.
7. Accepted methods of payment are by debit or credit card. Card payments can be made online or by calling 01274 431000.
8. Unfortunately we are not able to offer payments by cash using PayPoint or cheques at this time. If you have difficulty paying for the garden waste service please ask a relative or friend to do it on your behalf.
9. Payment is required for each bin you want emptying.

About your bin sticker

10. Each bin must display a valid bin sticker, otherwise it will not be emptied.
11. The Council reserves the right to remove any bins from a property if payment is not received for the current year’s service.
12. The garden waste subscription is only valid for the property it was originally purchased for and is non-transferable. We cannot offer a refund if you move within, or outside of the district, or to a property where you no longer require the garden waste collection service. However, you may leave your bin sticker for the new occupants if there is any time remaining.

About your collections

13. We will empty your brown bin every four weeks. Please note there will be no collections after 20 December 2024 until 21 January 2025. 
14. Collections are made on your allocated day. You can check your collection dates online.
15. The Council reserves the right to alter collections if necessary. During severe weather we may have to suspend collections. Notice of this will be posted on Twitter and Facebook.
16. Bins should be put out by 6.30am on the collection day, unless alternative arrangements have been made.
17. The lids on bins containing garden waste must be fully closed. The Council reserves the right not to empty bins when the lids are not fully closed as this may cause damage whilst being mechanically emptied.
18. Your bin should be returned to your property as soon as possible after emptying.
19. If collections are missed due to circumstances beyond our control, every effort will be made to re-schedule the collection, just leave your bin out.
20. If you already have an assisted collection for your general waste and recycling bins, it will automatically be arranged for your brown bin. All bins must be left in an easily accessible location for the crew to collect and return the bin to its normal place within the property boundary.
21. The Council reserves the right not to empty any bin that in its reasonable opinion, poses a health and safety risk to the collection crew. A notice will be put on the bin to identify it as being too heavy to move, or the vehicle is not able to lift the bin to empty it. If the bin is too full or overweight, it is your responsibility to remove item(s) before the next collection.
22. Only put garden waste in your brown bin. Garden waste includes grass cuttings, tree and hedge clippings, weeds (excluding controlled weeds such as giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed), plants, leaves, twigs and small branches, bark and dead flowers from the garden. Please do not put large branches, turf, earth, soil, stone, gravel, fruit or vegetable peelings, cat or dog faeces, pet bedding or straw etc in your garden waste bin. Garden waste must be loose in the bin and not in plastic bags, as this affects the composting process.
23. Contaminated bins will not be emptied. If your bin is contaminated with the wrong items, it is your responsibility to remove them before the next collection. If the contamination continues, we may remove the bin.

About your bin

24. All garden waste must be contained in the bins provided by the Council. Any waste left at the side of the bin will not be collected.
25. Extra bins can be supplied free of charge, however a reduced fee of £40 will be charged for an additional subscription.
26. Brown bin(s) remain the property of the Council. If your bin is damaged or stolen the cost of a replacement bin is £39, unless the damage was caused by the emptying process.
27. If your bin sticker is damaged or lost, you should call 01274 431000 for a replacement.
28. The bins will be supplied clean and in a usable condition. You are responsible for the general condition and cleaning of the brown bin.

About contact with you

29. We will contact you in advance to remind you to renew your subscription.
30. We will contact you if garden waste collections are delayed or changed
31. We will send you a reminder the day before your garden waste is due to be collected.
32. We may also contact you occasionally with other information that could be of use to you with regard to your garden waste.