Garden Waste Subscription
Garden Waste Subscription - FAQs
When will the change happen?
From 1 August 2017, the collection of garden waste from households in Hyndburn changed to a subscription service.
What happens after I’ve subscribed to the service?
Once you’ve registered online and paid for your subscription we will post you a sticker for each bin you have paid for. Please see page below for further information about where to place your sticker.
Do I need to sign up now, or can I sign up later in the year?
You can subscribe to the service at any time throughout the year. If you sign up part way through the year, the cost is still the same. A new subscription period starts from 1 August each year.
How much will it cost?
The subscription charge for 2024/25 is £35 per bin payable in advance. This is a non-refundable annual charge for the period 1 August to 31 July. Each bin is one subscription, so if you wish to have more than one bin emptied, you will have to pay additional subscriptions.
How many collections will I receive?
Collections of garden waste will remain on a fortnightly basis, with collections suspended during the 3 month period over winter (i.e. no collections during December, January and February).
What if I decide not to subscribe?
From 1 August 2017, your green bin will no longer be emptied. The Green bin will remain at your property as you, or a future householder may decide to subscribe to the service at a later date.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind?
When you subscribe to the garden waste collection service you have a 14 day ‘cooling off’ period where you can change your mind and get a refund. After this period, no refunds will be given.
Will my collection day change?
No, there are no plans to change current collection days.
Will the time of collection change?
This is dependent on the number of properties that take up the service but we assume they will be earlier than your current time. As always, we require wheeled bin/s to be presented for collection by 7.30am on collection day. Times may also vary due to road-works, weather conditions etc. You may put your wheeled bin/s out after 6.00pm the evening before collection day if this is more convenient.
What happens if I already have more than one green bin?
If you wish to have two or more bins collected, you will need to subscribe for each bin. The subscription charge applied to each bin.
Can I put out garden waste in other containers for you to collect?
You can only use Green wheeled bins supplied by the Council. We will not empty any other type of containers.
What happens if I want another green bin?
Please order another bin online.
Does the bin belong to me if I have paid for the subscription?
No – the bin remains the property of the Council.
Will the Council still collect my real Christmas tree if I don’t subscribe to the service?
Yes, the Council will still collect all real Christmas trees on your first recycling collection in January (after the 12th night), free of charge. Please leave the tree, without any lights, tinsel, metal bases etc. where you normally present your waste containers.
If I don’t subscribe to the service will I be able to get my Garden waste collected for free using the Council’s bulky waste collection service?
No. If you choose not to subscribe to the service you can either:
- Compost your garden waste at home.
- Take your garden waste to one of the Household Waste Recycling Centres operated by Lancashire County Council.
- Put your garden waste in your grey refuse bin.
Can I share a bin with my neighbour?
Yes if you do not generate enough garden waste to justify a bin you can share a bin. However, 1 person will need to sign up to a subscription and we will allocate the bin to that property. Any arrangement to share the cost will be down to you and your neighbour.
If I don’t want to sign up and pay, how can I dispose of my garden waste?
If you choose not to subscribe to the scheme, your garden waste will not be collected. However, you can either:
- Compost your garden waste at home.
- Take your garden waste to the Household Waste Recycling Centres (Whinney Hill) operated by Lancashire County Council.
- Put your garden waste in your grey wheeled bin.
If I register for the scheme half way through the year, do I get a discount?
No, the annual subscription charge is per bin, regardless of when you join the scheme.
Are there any concessions?
No, the subscription charge per bin applies to all households.
Do I get a refund if the Council fails to empty my bin?
No refunds will be given.
How will the waste collectors know I have subscribed to the new service?
Each year you subscribe to the service you will receive an identification sticker/s from us when you have made your payment. This must be placed onto your bin in the correct location as crews have been instructed not to empty any green bins which do not have a valid ‘paid for’ sticker.
I have a gardener – what should they do?
A gardener should take the garden waste away and dispose of it as commercial waste as part of the service they provide to you.
What happens if my sticker gets lost or stolen?
We have an electronic record of your subscription, please contact us to discuss.
What happens if I move house?
The subscription is property based and therefore only valid at the property it was allocated to. You must leave the green bin at the property for which you have made a subscription. If you move to an address within Hyndburn where there already is a subscription in place, you don’t need to do anything until the renewal is due. If you wish to join the service at your new address because there is no service, then you will need to pay for a new subscription charge.
What if I decide not to sign up and pay?
From 1st August 2017, your green bin will no longer be emptied. The Green bin will remain at your property as you, or a future householder may decide to subscribe to the service at a later date.
What if I damage my sticker?
Please return your damaged sticker to us at Hyndburn Borough Council Willows Lane Depot, Accrington, BB5 0RT and we will send you a new one.
I do not have access to the internet, how can I subscribe?
Subscribing online is easy and secure and has been designed to take only a few minutes. To keep subscription costs low, we ask all residents to go online. Our customer services staff are available to those residents who do not have access to the internet and our staff will ask you about options first before taking your details.
If there is no-one in your household who can go online for you, please ring 01254 388 111 Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm (Wednesdays from 10.00am). Please note that we expect lines to be busy and you may have to wait in a queue.