Additional garden waste service FAQs

Frequently asked questions 

General

What is the additional garden waste collection service?

Households can have one garden bin emptied fortnightly for free. If you have more than one garden waste bin you would like us to empty or you would like to order an extra bin, you will need to subscribe to the additional garden waste service.

The charge for 2024/25 is £57 per extra bin.

The charge covers the fortnightly emptying of an extra garden waste bin from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025. You then have the option to renew the service.

Why has the charge increased this year?

The charge has increased due to inflation and increased service costs. The increase was proposed and approved as part of the 2024/25 budget in February 2024. We remain the only council in Leicestershire to provide a free, first garden bin.

I’m not sure what size garden bin(s) I can use for free, and which I need to pay for?

Please use this guidance to check which size garden bin you can use for free, and which size additional bins you need to pay for.

• If you have two standard-size garden waste bins, you need to pay for the second bin.
• If you have one standard-size garden waste bin and one smaller bin, you need to pay for the second smaller bin. Smaller bins can be exchanged for larger bins but the charge will still apply. Please email recycling@nwleicestershire.gov.uk to request a bin swap.
• If you already have two small garden waste bins, you do not have to pay for either bin. You can exchange the two smaller bins for one standard-size bin if you wish and there will be no charge for this. However, any extra garden waste bins after this are charged at £57 each.

Please note, requests for two small garden bins are only considered in exceptional circumstances where mobility or access issues have been identified. To ensure households are eligible, thorough checks will be performed which may include a request to see evidence and / or a home visit by a waste services officer to support this request.

Bin size guide - additional garden waste service (PDF Document, 0.1 Mb)

Why did we introduce these charges?

These charges are to help us simplify and provide a consistent garden waste collection service.

In 2013 we limited households to one standard-size garden waste bin. However, households with existing additional bins were able to have them collected for free. If the bin was lost or damaged beyond repair, it was not replaced. In May 2021, if households requested an additional garden waste bin, they were able to purchase one extra bin.

The additional garden waste service now applies to all households with more than one standard-size garden waste bin.

The council does not have a legal statutory responsibility to collect garden waste, and we remain the only Leicestershire council to keep the collection of one garden waste bin for free.

What if I do not want to join the additional garden waste service?

If you do not want to join the additional garden waste service, there are a number of ways you can compost and dispose of garden waste.

• Take it to one of Leicestershire County Council's Recycling and Household Waste Site
• Compost it at home
• Check our tips for using garden waste in your garden.

Payments

How much does an extra garden waste bin cost?

1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025 charges

The £57 charge covers the delivery (if required) and emptying of an additional garden waste bin from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025. You would then have the option to renew or end the service. Please note the charge is the same regardless of when you sign up during the year.

The bin(s) will be emptied every fortnight, except for during the suspension of garden waste collections over the festive period.

The first garden waste bin will continue to be emptied free of charge, we’re the only council in Leicestershire to provide this.

How many extra garden waste bins can I pay for?

You can pay for as many extra garden waste bins as you wish.

How will you know if I have paid for an extra garden waste bin?

After paying for an extra garden waste bin, we will post a sticker to you which should be placed on the bin. This will show our collection crews that the bin has been paid for, the year it is valid for and which property it belongs to.

I am on benefits – can I get a discount on the service?

A discount is not available on this service. If you need support with disposing of extra garden waste, please follow our advice.

Can I pay for an additional refuse black bin?

You cannot pay for an additional refuse black bin.

Collections

How often will the bin be emptied?

Extra garden waste bins will be emptied every fortnight, on the same day as the first, free garden waste bin. This is except for:

• During the Christmas and New Year period when we suspend at least one of your garden waste collections.
• When factors beyond our control prevent collections. For example, where the contents of the bin are frozen due to freezing temperatures.

Please note, where factors beyond our control prevent collections, we will not be able to return to empty extra garden waste bins. Therefore, please put the bin(s) out on your next scheduled collection.

What happens if a bin is put out without a sticker?

Extra garden bins put out without a valid sticker will not be emptied and an advice card will be left by the crew. You will need to place a valid sticker onto the bin, and put the bin back out on your next scheduled garden waste collection day.

I am on the assisted collection service. Can I join the additional garden waste service?

Yes. If you are on our assisted collection service, you can pay for an extra garden waste bin(s). The crews will collect and return extra garden waste bin to your property – just like they do for your other recycling and waste bins / containers

What happens if an extra garden waste bin is missed on my collection day?

If your extra garden waste bin is missed, you can report this online or through customer services by calling 01530 454545

We will try our best to return for the bin wherever possible. Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds where extra garden waste bins have been missed.

Can I share a bin with a neighbour?

Yes, you can share an extra garden waste bin with your neighbour but we will only retain one contact name and details.

The extra garden waste bin will need to be put outside of the address detailed on the garden waste bin sticker, for the bin to be emptied. We will only retain the name and contact details of the person at this address, who will also be responsible for adhering to the terms and conditions.

What can I put in the garden waste bin?

Please visit our recycling garden waste webpage to find out what can be recycled in your garden waste bin.

Are garden waste bins available for businesses?

We do not provide garden waste collections for businesses. Please take a look at our trade waste and recycling service to see how we can support your business.

Extra garden waste bins

What happens if an extra garden waste bin becomes damaged?

If an extra garden waste bin needs to be repaired or replaced, you can request this online or by calling 01530 454545 at no additional cost, unless you have misused the bin.

What happens if my extra garden waste bin is stolen?

Each garden waste bin sticker is tamper-proof and displays the address of the property subscribed to the service. In the unfortunate event that your extra garden waste bin is stolen, please email us or call us on 01530 454545

Who owns the bin?

Extra garden waste bins, along with the rest of your recycling and waste containers we provide remain the property of North West Leicestershire District Council.

Composting information

Does the council receive any income from selling garden waste?

No. As the collection authority, North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) does not receive any income from the recycling of garden waste.

Leicestershire County Council are the disposal authority, therefore they direct us to deliver your garden waste to a composting facility in Lount, near Ashby.

The compost produced is used on agricultural land. Find out more.

Does the council provide home composting bins?

Home composting bins are no longer available to purchase at subsidised prices from Leicestershire County Council and Get Composting. However home composting remains a brilliant way to recycle your garden waste and fruit / vegetable food waste. Compost bins are still available to purchase at most garden centres and many online retailers.

For more information on how to compost your garden waste at home, please visit our composting webpage.

Can I buy compost from the council?

No. However, compost is available to buy from some Recycling and Household Waste Sites that are run by Leicestershire County Council. More information is available here.