Residents across Britain are encountering a wide range of costs for garden waste collection services, with some council areas charging substantially more than others. Research by private waste collection firm Divert Waste highlights a significant disparity, often referred to as a "postcode lottery," in the fees residents pay for the removal of their garden refuse.
The highest annual charges are found in several council districts in the south of England. According to the analysis, residents in the Waverley council area in Surrey pay the most, with an annual fee of £136.70 for fortnightly collections. Waverley council clarified that the annual charge for the service is £87.60, with the additional £49.10 only incurred in years when a new garden waste bin needs to be purchased.
Following Waverley, East Hampshire is reported to have the next most expensive annual subscription at £130, with Kingston upon Thames at £104. Kingston council stated that a new garden waste bin costs £24, plus a £20 administrative fee, with an additional £10 fee for each extra bin ordered. Other councils with significant annual garden waste collection subscriptions include Barnet at £103.80 and Brighton and Hove at £102.
The Divert Waste analysis, which examined data from 328 councils, found that London and the South East of England generally have the highest average garden waste collection costs. The South East of England has the highest average cost at £72.14, followed closely by London at £68.09, and the South West of England at £66.78.
Some councils opt for a per-bag or per-sack charging model instead of an annual subscription. Ceredigion County Council in Wales reported the lowest listed charge at £2.30 per bag for fortnightly collections, while Caerphilly County Borough Council charges £4.10 per sack. Bury Borough Council in England offered the lowest annual-style charge identified at £17.50, a fee designed to encourage recycling, according to the council.
Northern Ireland recorded the lowest average garden waste collection cost at £5.34, primarily because many of its councils include garden waste as part of existing kerbside collection services. The Yorkshire and the Humber region also reported an average charge below the national average, at £29.84.
Despite the high charges in some regions, 46 councils offer some form of free garden waste service, though the specifics vary. Divert noted that these free services can be limited by container type, collection periods, property types, or if garden waste is already integrated into broader kerbside recycling.
For instance, residents under Doncaster Council receive a free garden waste collection, though an additional bin incurs an annual subscription charge of £47.50. Hull City Council offers free garden waste collections, even for additional bins. Conversely, no free services were recorded by councils in the South West and North East of England.
John Verity, managing director at Divert, commented on the situation, stating that garden waste collection charges have become a significant "postcode lottery." He advised households to check their local council's terms, especially during warmer months when garden use increases. Verity also suggested that smaller waste producers might find home composting, sharing bins with neighbors, or using local recycling centres more economical. He emphasized that waste from commercial activities, property clearances, or business maintenance should not be placed in domestic garden waste collections and requires licensed waste carriers.
Since March 1, councils in England have been mandated to provide separate collections for food and garden waste, paper and card, other dry recyclables (glass, metal, plastic, cartons), and non-recyclable waste. This policy aims to increase recycling rates and standardize collections across all households, including those in flats and communal properties.