Westmorland and Furness Council has introduced a new garden waste collection service. Requiring residents to pay £60 per bin annually. The subscription scheme began accepting registrations recently. With collections continuing only for bins displaying a valid sticker from June 29.
The council aims to maintain essential services while managing financial pressures. Residents who do not subscribe can opt for home composting or use Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Subscription Details and Costs
Residents can subscribe online or by phone until June 28. First-time subscribers receive their initial garden waste bin free. Additional bins cost a one-off fee of £25 each, and all bins require the £60 annual subscription.
After subscribing, residents will receive a sticker to place on their bin. Bins without this sticker will not be collected after the deadline.
Collection Schedule
Garden waste collections will occur fortnightly from April to March. Pausing during December, January, and February when garden waste is minimal. This schedule aims to balance service efficiency with seasonal waste levels.
Reason for Introducing Charges
The charge was approved as part of the council’s 2026/27 budget to address financial challenges. Garden waste collection is a discretionary service, and the subscription ensures users contribute fairly to its cost.
The council emphasises that this change helps protect other essential services for all residents.
Future Waste and Recycling Changes
The garden waste subscription is the first step in a broader plan to standardise waste and recycling services across Westmorland and Furness. Upcoming changes include:
- In-house collection services
- Fortnightly residual waste collections using 240-litre wheelie bins
- Fortnightly recycling collections with two 180-litre wheelie bins—one for plastics, cans, and glass, the other for card and paper
More details about these changes will be announced later in the year.
Support and Alternatives for Residents
Council members acknowledge that the new subscription may not suit everyone. They encourage residents to consider the service carefully and explore alternatives like home composting or visiting recycling centres.
The council remains committed to supporting environmentally responsible garden waste disposal options tailored to residents’ needs.
2 responses
I live in Kendal. I have not yet paid an annual fee to get my green bin empted as I was not aware of this until recently. Can I still pay for this year or do I have to wait until April 2027 ?
Hey Andrew, from our research, you can still sign up for the current year and won’t need to wait until April 2027. The annual fee is £60 per bin, although sadly this doesn’t seem to be reduced if you join partway through the year.
You can subscribe through the council’s website here: Garden waste collection subscription
Hope this helps!