Garden Waste

Garden Waste Subscription Service: FAQs

Why do councils charge for garden waste collections?

Not everyone needs or uses the current garden waste collection service and making it a self-funding service enables us to provide the service for only those who want it.

There is no legal obligation for councils to collect garden waste free of charge. Over 70% of all local authorities in England now charge for garden waste collections as a non-essential, opt-in service.

What are the alternatives to garden waste collections?

People who do not wish to use the garden waste service may also wish to consider home composting.

You can also take your garden waste to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (the tip).

Utilise the free disposal option at either of the two Household Waste Recycling Centres. Locations listed below:

• Hanford, Campbell Rd, Hanford, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 4DX
• Federation Road, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 4HU

Click here for information including tip opening times

Why is there a charge for garden waste collections?

While some people value garden waste collections, others don’t want or require it. To ensure this is fair, this is a chargeable, opt-in service.

Residents can decide if they would like to receive garden waste collections or not, and only those who do so pay an annual charge and fund the service.

How much does it cost?

The annual garden waste service costs £40 per annum/per bin. Collections will take place fortnightly with a break during the Christmas period.

Why £40?

We have benchmarked against other local authorities before proposing the £40 charge for garden waste collection; the annual charge is comparable.

How do I subscribe and when by?

You can subscribe and pay online by credit or debit card by following this link: Garden Waste Subscriptions.

You are encouraged to sign up for the service as soon as possible to maximise on collections. The annual charge of £40 per bin runs from April 2024 until the end of March 2025. There is no reduction in cost if you join later in the year.

How will you know I have subscribed and who hasn’t?

You will receive a sticker to put on your bin to show that you have registered for the service. Your sticker should arrive 10 working days after you subscribe.

Our in-cab technology on our collection vehicles also gives up to date information to the waste collection crews, so if your sticker has been delayed then our crew will still know if you have subscribed.

Can I share a garden waste bin with a neighbour?

Yes, if you and a neighbour wish to share, then one of you will need to pay the charge and you can arrange between yourselves how you split the use of the subscribed bin. We are not responsible for any agreements that you enter into with your neighbour.

Can I have more than one garden waste bin?

Yes, if you would like further bins they will be at a charge of £40 per bin. There will also be an additional annual subscription charge of £40 per bin. You will receive a sticker per bin.

I only use my garden waste bin in the summer – can I just pay for the months that I use it?

No, the garden waste service is an annual subscription charge of £40.

Can I have a smaller bin or a new bin?

If you subscribe to the service, then you will continue using your existing garden waste bin for collections. We do not supply garden waste bins in smaller sizes.

Is the charge the same irrespective of when I join the service?

Yes. Collections will begin at the start of April and the charge for the whole year is £40 – this does not change if you join after this date.

Can I pay the charge in instalments?

No, the annual charge must be paid in full in advance of the start of your collections. The annual charge will cover the service from the start of April until the end of March each year.

Do I pay the same charge even though I am in receipt of government benefit payments?

Yes, there are no concessions.

I have subscribed and paid online, but I have not received my sticker yet, what do I do?

If you have paid for the new service and do not receive your new sticker before collections start in April, you can still put out your garden waste for collection as our crews will know that you have already registered.

Once you receive your sticker, please place this on your bin (on the side underneath the bin handle) as soon as possible.

Is there a charge for a replacement bin?

Yes, £40, however if your bin has been lost or damaged by the refuse collection crews, we will replace it, at our discretion, free of charge if it is no longer considered usable.

I have paid up for garden waste collections but no longer want the service - can I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel the service at any time, but you will not be refunded or part-refunded.

Can I put my garden waste in my grey bin?

No - Please do not put garden waste into your grey bin as it won’t get appropriately recycled and will negatively impact on the performance of our local Energy from Waste plant.

If you do not wish to home compost, you can also take your garden waste for recycling at your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre.

If I move to a new house, do I take my bin with me?

No - The bin needs to remain at your old property. You can however transfer the service to a new address if you are moving within the Stoke-on-Trent area.

Please contact WasteManagement@stoke.gov.uk and we will re-allocate your subscription to  your new address at a cost of £10.

What do I do with my bin and sticker if I am moving out of Stoke-on-Trent?

As there are no refunds for this service under these circumstances, you can leave your bin and sticker for the people moving into the property to use until the end of the service period.

If I do not subscribe to the service what do I do with my bin?

The bin needs to remain at your property. If you move home it will be available for the new occupier if they wish to subscribe to the service.

I have an assisted collection - will this continue if I sign up to the chargeable service?

Yes, your assisted collection for your garden waste bin will continue if you sign up to the service.

Can I burn my garden waste ?

It is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (as amended) to dispose of domestic waste in a way that can cause pollution to the environment or harm to human health, such as by burning it. This means you must not burn certain types of waste that can create excessive smoke and fumes.

Are any properties exempt from the charge?

No - There are no exemptions. All those who wish to access the service will need to subscribe.

Is it legal to charge for the collection of garden waste?

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and the Controlled Waste Regulations (England and Wales) 2012, councils can charge for the collection of garden waste.

Is the service available to everyone?

If you currently have a garden waste bin collected you are eligible to sign up to the garden waste subscription service.

What schedule frequency will the garden waste bin be collected on?

The service will be a fortnightly service running for 50 out of 52 weeks of the year (25 collections). Collections may be suspended in cases of severe extreme weather.

When will my bin be emptied?

Garden waste bins are emptied fortnightly on the same weekday as your recycling bin. Check here to find your collection day. Bin Day Calendar View | Stoke-on-Trent.

Collections will only be suspended in cases of bad weather (and any of the circumstances detailed within the terms and conditions) and in such circumstances, we will collect the bin when it is safe to do so. No refunds will be made for suspensions of the service due to bad weather conditions (see terms and conditions).

If I subscribe will my collection day for garden waste stay the same as it currently is?

Yes, but is subject to change. You will be notified of any changes in advance.

What happens on bank holidays?

Apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, there will be no changes to your usual day of collection if it falls on a bank holiday.

Some rescheduling may take place over the Christmas period.

Will side waste be taken by the binmen if presented next to the brown bin on collection day?

Garden side waste is not permitted and will not be collected alongside the brown bin. Organic waste is not allowed in grey bins or side waste presented with grey bins and will be classed as contamination.

Why is organic waste classed as contamination in grey bins?

Organic waste affects the performance of the Energy from Waste Plant (the incinerator) if presented in large quantities. We aim to recycle organic waste, not incinerate it.  

I don’t need to put my bin out every fortnight; will I get a discount/reduction?

No, the charge is fixed for the calendar year.

What can I put in my garden bin?

Small branches, hedge cuttings, garden plant waste, grass cuttings, fruit and veg waste are accepted by the garden waste service.  See more information here -   What can I do with my rubbish? | Stoke-on-Trent

Can I line my bin or put my waste in bags/sacks?

No. Garden waste must be loose in the bin.

What happens if you miss my bin?

If your bin was out on time and there were no issues reported by the crew then please contact us by the end of the next working day.  This will then be recorded as a missed collection and a crew should return within two working days. This is in line with our existing service policies.

What happens if the collections are suspended because of snow or other operational issues?

In such circumstances we will do our best to return as soon as possible. If we cannot return to empty your bin, or the collection is delayed, we will not offer any refunds.  More details are provided in our terms and conditions.

What happens if I put the wrong things in my garden waste bin and it is not emptied?

If the crew report that the bin has the wrong items in it and is therefore contaminated, the bin will not be emptied. Please remove any contamination and your bin will be collected on the next scheduled collection day.

What happens if I forget to put my bin out/I put my bin out late?

If the crew report that the bin was not out when they came, the team will not be able to return until the next scheduled collection day. Please ensure your bin is presented at the edge of your property by 06:00 am on the morning of collection with the handle facing the road.