FAQs
What is the Garden Waste Collection Service?
It is a chargeable opt in service to have garden waste collected fortnightly from your existing green bin. The service will start from 8 April 2024. If you do not sign up to the garden waste service your green bin will no longer be collected after this date.
How do I sign up?
You can start signing up in the New Year. If you register now to receive our
'News for You' waste and recycling e-alerts we'll let you know when the form is ready to subscribe.
Why are you now charging for garden waste collections?
Unlike household waste and recycling there's no legal requirement to collect garden waste and councils can charge for collections. The income from charging for garden waste collections will make the service self-financing. Well over half of all councils in England charge for this service and have done for many years.
Not all properties in Hertsmere require a garden waste collection service as they do not have a garden. Introducing a charge means that only households that choose to use the service will pay. This is similar to bulky waste collections where only households requesting the service have to pay.
Do other councils make a charge for collecting garden waste bins?
Yes. Eight out of the ten councils in Hertfordshire also run a garden waste collection service, including two of the highest performing authorities in the UK; St Albans District and City Council and Three Rivers District Council.
Will I get a reduction in my council tax if I don’t subscribe to the garden waste collection service?
No. Garden waste is a non-statutory service so the money Street Scene Services receives from council tax payments is not used to pay for the current green waste service.
How much does the Garden Waste Collection Service cost?
The cost to have your garden waste bin collected is £50 for the year April 2024-March 2025. There will be a concessionary rate of £35 for those claiming Council tax support. Additional bins are £60 each.
How do I pay?
Your garden waste collections can be paid online or over the phone by credit or debit card.
Can I sign up part way through the year?
Yes, you can sign up at any time, however the cost will remain the same throughout the year.
Can I have more than one green bin?
Yes. You can sign up to receive a collection of up to three green bins in total. Additional subscriptions will cost £60 and additional bins to purchase are £42 each. Concessions do not apply to additional bins.
If I opt in, when will my garden waste be collected?
Your green bin will continue to be collected fortnightly on the same day it is currently. The garden waste service will run throughout the year except for two weeks (one collection) over the Christmas/New Year period.
How will collection staff know if I have signed up to the new service?
You will receive a sticker through the post which must be placed on your bin to identify it as part of the service. This sticker needs to be easily visible and so should be displayed on the back of your bin underneath the handles to ensure your green bin is emptied. The collection crew will also have details of properties that are signed up to the service. Clearly numbering your bin(s) will help to ensure that the crew can easily identify it for collection.
How can I stop other people putting their waste into the garden waste bin(s) that I am paying for?
You should store your bin within your property boundary until collection day in the same way that you would with your other containers.
Will I still have an assisted collection for the Garden Waste Collection Service?
Yes, if you already have an assisted collection for your green bin this will continue.
What do I do if I don’t want to sign up to the Garden Waste Collection Service? Will you take my green bin away?
If you decide not to sign up to the Garden Waste Collection Service, you do not need to contact us to tell us. You are free to keep your bin and use it for storage but if you would like us to remove it please
contact us to arrange.
How do I dispose of my garden waste if I choose not to sign up to the Garden Waste Collection Service?
There is always the option to compost garden waste at home. We have teamed up with Get Composting to offer reduced price compost bins available from December 2023. For more information on how to get started see Home Composting.
You can also take your garden waste to your local Recycling Centre. Please note this is for garden waste only.
Can I put garden waste in my black bin?
We strongly discourage residents from placing garden waste in the black bin as there are alternative, more environmentally friendly ways to dispose of it. Residents can sign up to the garden waste collection service or
compost at home; we've teamed up with Get Composting to offer
reduced price compost bins. You can also take your garden waste to your local
Recycling Centre. Additional side waste and overfilled bins will not be collected.
Can I have garden waste collections if I live in a flat?
If you live in a flat but you have your own garden you can still opt into the service. If you have communal gardens you should contact your managing agent or housing association, as they will be responsible for the removal of garden waste.
Can I share a green bin with my neighbour?
You can share a green garden waste bin with your neighbour as an informal arrangement, but we can only deal with one account holder.
What is accepted in the green bin Garden Waste Collection Service?
Garden waste including:
✓ Grass cuttings ✓ Hedge clippings
✓ Small tree prunings, branches/twigs and bark ✓ Flowers
✓ Tree branches (up to 6 inches in diameter), ✓ Fallen fruit
✓ Plants with excess soil removed ✓ Leaves
✓ Moss, weeds (excluding controlled weeds such as Japanese Knotweed)
✓ Real Christmas trees without decorations or a pot.
✓ Food waste is acceptable until a separate food waste collection is introduced. This includes meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, leftovers plus bones and shells.
How do I receive a refund if I have changed my mind or accidentally ordered more bins than I need?
You can email customer.services@hertsmere.gov.uk with your name, address and your request. As per the terms and conditions any cancellations need to be within 14 days of payment.
Can I take the service with me when I move house?
If you move house and remain within Hertsmere, you can take the green bin with you to your new property. However, you will need to inform us so we can provide a new sticker and reassign your bin to your new property to ensure collection. Crews will be instructed not to take a bin unless it is registered with the address.
If you move outside of Hertsmere no refund is available, as you would have already received the service for a period of time before moving property. The service will continue at your old address and the new owners can decide upon renewal if they wish to carry on with the service.
What will happen if someone puts their green bin out for collection but they have not signed up to the service?
We will not be emptying any green bins which have not been signed up and paid for, so if this happens the bin will remain unemptied.
What can I do with my food waste if I don’t sign up to the Garden Waste Collection Service?
If you are unable to recycle your food waste in the green bin then you can put your food waste in your black bin instead. This is a temporary arrangement until separate food waste collections are introduced in 2025.
For details on saving money and saving food waste, please see Waste Aware’s Worth Saving campaign to avoid edible food going to waste. The average family throws away the equivalent of £60 a month in food waste, this campaign aims to provide tips and tricks to plan ahead, buy what you need, store correctly and cook so nothing is wasted.