Garden Waste subscriptions now open

West Berkshire Council provides a subscription service for the fortnightly collection of garden waste, and we are pleased to announce that subscriptions are now open for new customers, and those that renew by debit/credit card. Please visit: www.westberks.gov.uk/gardenwaste for more information and to subscribe.

The new subscription period runs from 26 August 2024 until 24 August 2025.To ensure you get the maximum collections out of the service please subscribe by 9 August 2024. This allows us enough time to process your subscription and deliver any new bins if required before the 2024/25 service period starts.

If you are renewing your subscription by Direct Debit, you will already have received notification of the renewal payment date via email or letter and your service will transition seamlessly into the 2024/25 subscription period. You do not need to sign-up again.

What's new for this year?

We have reduced the first bin subscription charge from £58 to £55 for the 2024/25 service demonstrating our commitment to both our community and the environment.

We're not issuing garden waste subscription stickers to place on your bins for the 2024/25 service. Thanks to in-cab technology, our collection crews will know which properties are subscribed, eliminating the need for bin stickers. This will see over 33,000 fewer pieces of paper and plastic issued, saving money, resources, and reducing waste. Please put your bin(s) out with the handles facing outwards as this greatly assists the collection crew. If you choose, you may want to put your own house number or name sticker on your green bins to help identify which one is yours.

Make sure you read the Terms and Conditions - they're brief and important.

Cllr Stuart Gourley, Executive Member for Environment and Highways at West Berkshire Council, said:

"We are delighted to announce the reduction of the garden waste collection fee from £58 to £55 for the first bin. This is part of our ongoing commitment to addressing the climate and ecological emergency and phasing out the green bin charge.

"Our garden waste service provides an easy and effective way to recycle your garden waste. The collected waste is turned into soil conditioner at our Padworth facility, which is then used by local landowners and landscapers to enrich their soil.

"Last year, over 33,000 residents subscribed to this service, and we look forward to serving even more customers in the upcoming subscription period.''

Last year we collected 12,792 tonnes of garden waste from households in the district, that's the equivalent of one polar bear per subscription. Watch our video to see what happens to our garden waste here: Your Garden Waste Collection Service (youtube.com)

For residents who do not subscribe to the service, you can still recycle your garden waste for free by composting it at home, or by taking it to one of our recycling centres at Padworth Lane in Padworth or Newtown Road in Newbury. You need to book an appointment and have an active permit before you visit.