Garden Waste Service
You can still sign up for our new garden waste subscription service. The service started on 6 March 2023, and your garden waste will be collected every fortnight.
A single subscription costs £49.00 for the year, and you can buy one or two subscriptions depending on what most closely suits your needs.
Sign up for Garden Waste Collections
If you've decided not to subscribe, please see below for alternative ways to dispose of your garden waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be any changes to my refuse collections as a result of the paid-for garden waste service?
Refuse collections will remain as a fortnightly collection - this will not change. The subscribed-for garden waste service will be fortnightly collection from 6 March 2023.
The garden waste collection maybe a different day to your current schedule collection day.
Your collection day can be checked on using the button below.
Where does my garden waste sticker need to be fixed to on the garden waste bin?
The sticker should be fixed to the outside / top of the lid so it's visible when the lid is fully shut, or to the front of your garden bin, so it's clearly visible for our crews when the bin is presented for collection.
Please do not fix the sticker to your refuse bin as this will not help the correct crews.
I have received information about the garden waste service but no sticker - what do I do?
Please use the button below to contact the waste team. Please select "I have an enquiry about the new garden waste service" from the list of options, then click next to send us your details.
Can I subscribe for a second bin later in the year if I've already signed up for one?
Yes - you can sign up for a second subscription at any time throughout the year, should you decide you need a second bin. Each individual subscription costs £49 each and will remain at that price, no matter what time of year you sign up.
Will South Hams District Council offer any concessions or discounts on the yearly subscription?
Unfortunately this is a fixed rate for the yearly subscription in line with surrounding local authorities, so there will be no discounted subscription available.
What will happen in the event of a missed garden waste collection once we have subscribed - will we get a refund?
Refund information will be included in the Terms and Conditions when you subscribe for the garden waste service. This will be reviewed for the whole year and not each collection.
Can residents pay by cheque for the garden waste subscription?
We do not accept any cheque payments, so the only option is to pay by card.
Can I subscribe at any time for the garden waste service starting in Spring?
Yes, residents can subscribe anytime throughout the year for this service. It is the same price for the year £49 per subscription, no matter what time you join.
The service will start from 6 March 2023. If you subscribe after 6 March, your service will start up to 10 working days after you subscribe to allow time to be added onto our collections rounds.
How do I sign up for two garden waste subscriptions?
When subscribing for the garden waste service you will be given the opportunity if you wish to sign up for an additional bin. There is a maximum of two bins per household and the option to request a second bin to be delivered is included in the process.
If you opt for two bins, these will be collected at the same time on a fortnightly collection. Please note the collection day could differ to your collection days for refuse and recycling, as this is a standalone service.
What am I allowed to put in my garden waste bin?
We have put a list of items that can be placed in your garden waste bin on your sticker as a reminder. More details can be found in the terms and conditions and will be available on our website
Can a holiday home subscribe for the new garden waste service in South Hams?
You can apply for the new garden waste service if you are a domestic dwelling or fall under the category as CWR. This includes for example Airbnb or holiday lets.
Can businesses subscribe to the garden waste service?
If you are classed as a business and pay non-domestic (business) rates then you are not entitled to this service.
What can people do if they don't have access to the website and they want to sign up?
The quickest and easiest way to sign up is through our website. The webpage works on mobile devices as well. You can ask a friend or relative to help you if you don't have internet access yourself.
Otherwise, you can contact our customer service team on 01803 861234. However, phone lines are extremely busy and you may have to wait.
What happens if you only want to subscribe over the summer months, is it still £49?
Yes. The price is a fixed cost for the whole year and we will collect fortnightly, with the four weeks suspension over festive period.
Where can I find my collection day for Waste and Recycling?
If you need to check when your next collection is, please use the button below and enter your postcode to find your next collection day.
How will you know who has subscribed for the paid-for service?
The details of which properties have subscribed to our garden waste service will be added and available to our crews on their in-cab technology. The crews will only collect from the garden waste bins that have subscribed for this service.
All subscribers to this service will be issued with a sticker for your bin to make it easier for the crews to identify.
How will the service work for residents that have a communal garden and currently share a bin between themselves and other residents?
If the properties are rented, we suggest you speak to the landlord (assuming it is the same for all properties) and ask them to pay for the subscription, then divide the cost between the residents who wish to use the service.
If the communal area is maintained by residents, there is usually a volunteer group who manages this. It would be their decision to subscribe to the service. This would involve taking ownership of the bin, making sure it is secured safely between collections and presenting it on collection day at the correct location. It would be down to the volunteer group to organise contributions from other volunteers towards the cost of the service.
If as a resident you have access to your own garden, then the subscription would be your choice as the occupier - you can choose to subscribe or not depending on your circumstances.
How often will the garden waste be collected under the subscribed service from March 2023
The garden waste bin will be collected on a fortnightly collection.
Will the paid for service be accessible for those residents who have an Assisted Collection?
The paid for garden waste service will include residents on assisted collection. Please state where your current collection point is so we can advise our garden waste collection crews.
Why did residents need to pay for this new garden waste service so far in advance of the service start date (6 March 2023)?
Residents were able to subscribe for the garden waste service from 1 November as this was a new subscriptions service. This allowed the teams to create new collection rounds to make sure they are as efficient as possible.
The subscription payments are taken as a one-off payment for the whole years’ service.
From next year the normal subscription window will be approximately a month ahead of the service starting.
Will you collect garden waste that is presented in another bin or container after 6 March?
No. Our collection crews will only be collecting garden waste contained in your garden waste bin that has a subscription sticker attached to the bin.
If you do not have a garden waste subscription, you will need to dispose of your waste by visiting your Household Waste Recycling Centre or by home composting.
The Recycling Centres in the South Hams are run by Devon County Council. You can find details such as opening hours using the links below:
If garden waste is found within your grey wheelie bin or seagull sack, we will not be able to collect this.
How do I get rid of my unused brown bin?
If you no longer use this service and would like your brown bin removed, please request this by using our contact form.
Please select "I do not want to subscribe to the new garden waste service, please remove my brown bin."
Alternatively, there's lots of information online about how to turn your unused brown bin into a compost bin or water butt, quickly and cheaply. Just search for 'converting a wheelie bin to a compost bin' to see videos and instructions.
What else can I do with my garden waste instead of subscribing for the paid garden waste service?
There are a number of options available if you don't wish to subscribe:
You can compost your waste at home - please visit Get Composting
There are also a number of Community Composting Schemes operating in the South Hams. You can find your nearest scheme using the map below, or visit our Community Composting section to find out more.
All the recycling centres in the South Hams (which are operated by Devon County Council) accept garden waste. Full details, including opening hours, are available here.
Alternatively, there's lots of information online about how to turn your unused brown bin into a compost bin or water butt, quickly and cheaply. Just search for 'converting a wheelie bin to a compost bin' to see videos and instructions.
You can also use a licensed waste collector who will responsibly take away your garden or household waste items. As a resident, please check the business holds a waste carrier's licence, which they will provide on request.
Please do not burn your garden waste. The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service firmly advises against having bonfires, given the risks of fires spreading, the likely nuisance for neighbours and the potential diversion of emergency services.
What will happen to all the garden waste bins that aren't part of the paid for service?
Residents can re-use their garden waste bin for storage in your garden.
Alternatively, there's lots of information online about how to turn your unused brown bin into a compost bin or water butt, quickly and cheaply. Just search for 'converting a wheelie bin to a compost bin' to see videos and instructions.
The Recycling Centres in the South Hams are run by Devon County Council. You can find details such as opening hours using the links below:
Unfortunately, we are unable to collect any waste stored in this bin, i.e. refuse or recycling. If you place your garden waste bin out on your collection day with refuse or recycling in this will not be taken.
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