Garden Waste Charges to Begin in Parts of Cumbria
Residents across the Westmorland & Furness Council area will soon have to pay for garden waste collections under a new subscription service.
The change means households will need to pay an annual fee if they want their green waste bins emptied.
How Much the Service Will Cost
Residents who want garden waste collected will need to pay:
- £60 per year for each bin
The first bin will be provided free of charge, but the subscription fee still applies for it to be collected.
Additional bins can be ordered for:
- £25 one-off cost per extra bin
- £60 yearly subscription for each bin
When the Charges Start
The new subscription system will begin in stages:
- 1 April 2026 – Residents can start signing up
- 28 June 2026 – Deadline to subscribe
- 29 June 2026 – Only subscribed bins will be collected
Bins that are part of the service will display a sticker showing the subscription is valid.
How the Collections Will Work
Garden waste collections will:
- take place every two weeks
- run between April and March
- pause during December, January and February when garden waste is lower.
Household waste and recycling collections will remain unchanged.
Why the Charge Is Being Introduced
The council says the change is necessary because it is facing significant financial pressures.
Officials say garden waste collection is not a statutory service, meaning councils are not legally required to provide it.
By introducing a charge, the council says the cost of the service will be paid by people who use it, helping protect other essential services.
What Residents Should Do
Residents who want to continue having garden waste collected will need to:
- Subscribe to the service from 1 April
- Pay the £60 annual fee per bin
- Attach the sticker sent by the council to their bin.
Without the sticker, bins will no longer be emptied from late June.
