Garden waste collection

We collect garden waste from your green bin for £25.00 per year.

Existing customers:

If you have not yet paid for your garden waste collection 2012, you need the council invoice we sent you to pay for your collection online. Existing customers do not need join the scheme again.

If you don’t have an invoice, or have a query, email us customerservices@rushcliffe.gov.uk or call us on 0115 981 9911 from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm.

New customers:

Join the garden waste collection scheme here or by calling us on 0115 981 9911.

Read the Terms and Conditions.

Additional information:

Extra bins are available at only £10 per bin per year.

The garden waste collection scheme runs from 1 April to 31 March. Even if you join part-way through the year the cost is still £25 so join now to get the most out of the service.

There are no concessions or pro-rata for joining the scheme part-way through the year.

We need your payment by 1 March 2012 to guarantee your green bin keeps getting emptied. Collections will stop on 1 April 2012 if you have not paid.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the commonly asked questions about the garden waste collection service.

Why do you charge for garden waste collections?

We started charging for garden waste collections in April 2011 as we have significant budget pressures, like all other councils, and this was just one way in which we can raise some additional income. Many councils charge for garden waste collections and this scheme works out at about 50p per week/ £1 per collection.

Do I have to pay?

No, the service is entirely optional. If you have not paid by 1 April 2012, the Council will not collect your garden waste if it is left out for collection. You can join the scheme at any time and keep your green bin in case you change your mind.

What if I do want to pay for the service?

Existing customers: If you are already a member of the scheme (i.e you already have your green bin collected) we should have contacted you to ask you to pay for the upcoming year - you do not need to join again. If you have not already received an invoice, please contact us by email customerservices@rushcliffe.gov.uk or call us on 0115 981 9911 from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm

New customers: If you haven't used the service before but want to join the scheme, use our online form or call us on 0115 981 9911.

Can I pay for more than one bin?

Yes, the cost of the first bin is £25 and each extra bin will cost you £10 per year. You can register for a maximum of 5 as long as these are for your own property.

If I register for the scheme half way through the year, do I get a discount?

No, the price is £25 for the year (1 April to 31 March) regardless of when you join the scheme.

What happens if I move house in Rushcliffe – do I pay again? Does my bin go with me? Do I get a discount or money back if I leave the Borough?

If you move house, there may already be a green bin there which will have been paid for by the previous occupiers. If not, contact us and we'll provide one and transfer your service to your new address. Do not take your green bin with you when you move.

My green bin is damaged – can I have a new one?

Yes, please contact us online for a new bin or call us and we will arrange for a new one to be delivered to you.

I would like a compost bin instead, do you sell them?

If you want to give composting a try it couldn’t be easier as residents can buy reduced price composters through Getcomposting. These composters are a great alternative for residents who tend to produce less garden waste.

What do I do with my garden waste if I don’t want to pay for the service?

We hope you feel that a charge of £25 is good value compared to the hassle of going to the tip. However, if you do not want to be in the scheme you will need to make your own arrangements to dispose of garden waste by either home composting it, or taking your garden rubbish to one of the household waste recycling centres.

If I don’t want the garden waste collection service, can I put my garden waste in my grey bin? Would you fine me for doing this?

Yes you can, but we would discourage this – your grey bin would soon fill up and you wouldn’t have room for your household waste. It’s also better for the environment to compost this waste. We can’t fine you for doing this though. For an alternative to having your green waste collected, you might want to try home composting instead.

If I don’t want my green bin will you remove it?

Yes, we are happy to remove your bin if you really want us to. In the meantime you can also use it for storing garden equipment e.g. pots, seed trays etc, or even bags of garden waste, before you take them to the tip (Rugby Road, West Bridgford or Coachgap Lane, Langar).

How will you know who has paid?

Residents that have paid for their green wheeled bin will be issued with an individual sticker which they will stick onto the rear of the bin. The Council will keep records of who has paid and will only be collecting bins from those homes that have paid.

I am on benefits – do I still have to pay? Are there any concessions?

As the cost covers the collection costs, there are no concessionary rates.

Will this scheme apply to village halls, community centres, churches and other such facilities?

Yes it will as the Council has adopted a no concessions approach.

Can my garden waste be collected from my door?

If you are eligible for assisted collections (because you have difficulties moving the waste), you will also receive assisted collections for garden waste. Request an assisted collection.

Can I share a bin with my neighbour?

A resident may choose to make a personal arrangement with a neighbour to share the cost of the service where this best suits their individual needs. However, anyone purchasing this service is reminded that the bin(s) must be primarily used for garden waste from their own property - please see the terms and conditions of the agreement. Neighbours who work together to provide a service to the community and need to share a bin, should contact us to discuss their requirements.

What’s to stop other people in the neighbourhood swapping my bin with theirs?

You will receive a sticker identifying that your bin is paid for and you can write your address onto this sticker - there is nothing we can do to stop residents moving bins around but we have not experienced any problems with this.

What if I live in a flat and have a shared garden?

We are happy to continue providing a garden waste collection service for flats - at a charge of £25 per year for the first green bin, and £10 per year for any extra green bins. Please contact us if you would like advice on how to go about organising garden waste collection for a multi-occupancy property.

What if I'm renting and / or am not responsible for the garden where I live?

Please tell the person responsible for your garden about the charge. They can then make the choice about whether to pay to continue having the garden waste from your property collected.

When is my green bin collected?

You can find your bin collection day online if you aren't sure when your collection day is. Please make sure the bin is out ready for collection by 7am.

What can be placed in the garden waste bin?

Yes Please	No Thanks
Grass cuttings	Soil, stones or gravel
Hedge trimmings	Flower pots
Garden prunings	Seed trays
Leaves	Kitchen / food waste
Small twigs	Pet litter or waste
Dead plants	Cardboard, paper, glass or metal
Branches no thicker than 12cm	Wood / timber or sawdust
	Plastic bags
	Garden fruit