Garden waste

You can now subscribe to garden waste collections, this service runs from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. 

Sign up for garden waste collections

If you have subscribed to the current year's subscription service please be aware that this is valid until 31 March 2025. 

If you have subscribed, you can check your collections calendar for your garden waste collection dates. 

As with all waste collections, it is vital that you do not put the wrong items in your garden waste bin. Your garden waste is turned into compost, which must not contain more than 1% of the wrong items. If our contractors see too much other waste in a vehicle load they might send it all to landfill.

You can find out what happens to your garden waste and more on the Birch Composting website.

View more information on what can and can't go in your garden waste bin.

To complete this form, you will need to tell us:

• your name, address and contact details
• debit or credit card

How we deal with your garden waste

We use an open windrow method to compost your garden waste. A windrow is a long line of compostable material, put out to dry naturally. The process is relatively simple and similar to a garden compost heap.

Windrow composting is ideal for pure garden waste such as grass cuttings, prunings and leaves, but cannot process food waste.

Using windrow composting, our contractor:

• shreds the garden waste before piling into long windrows
• turns the windrows on a regular basis during the composting process. This improves oxygen content and distributes heat and moisture
• screens and grades the resulting material for use in landscaping and horticulture

Moving home

If you are moving to another home within our district and have a garden waste subscription, you should take your bins with you when you move.

If you are moving outside of our district, you should still take your bins with you, as they are your property. However, you may not be able to use it for garden waste collections provided by a different local authority.

More recycling

You can also recycle your garden waste by:

• home composting
• taking it to one of Essex County Council's Recycling Centres for Household Waste

Compost bin special discount

You can contact Essex County Council to apply for their special discount compost bin offer.

Assisted collections

We understand that not everyone is able to bring their bins to the collection point.

We offer assistance where there is a genuine need. Find out more about requesting an assisted collection.  

Storing your bins

You should store your green wheeled bin within the boundary of your property between collections. Please put your bin out by 7am on your collection day, or no earlier than the night before.

Leaving bins or waste outside the boundary of your property between collections is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.