Payable garden Waste FAQ
Why are we charging for the collection of garden waste?
Garden waste collection is an optional, chargeable collection service for all households in the Cherwell District.
How much does it cost?
The price per subscription is £49. Subscription licences will run for a fixed year from 1 March 2024 to 28 February 2025.
Why has the price changed and why is there no longer any early bird renewal offer?
The garden waste subscription fees are increasing to £49 for 2024/25. This change was necessary due to the significantly high inflation we are experiencing, particularly our higher fuel prices. We have strived to keep our fees reasonable and fair, especially compared to many other councils while ensuring we maintain a quality service.
Can I have more than one subscription?
Yes. Each additional bin subscription will cost £49 per fixed year.
If after subscribing to this service, you then want to add another bin subscription, you can use the same online form here.
Why is there no longer a reduced rate for an additional subscription?
The price is now a fixed rate for each subscription purchased. This change was necessary due to the significantly high inflation we are experiencing, particularly our higher fuel prices. We have strived to keep our fees reasonable and fair, especially compared to many other councils while ensuring we maintain a quality service.
Do I need to sign up for the service each year?
Yes. If you would like your garden waste collections to continue after the current subscription ends, you will need to renew. You will be sent a reminder prior to your subscription end date.
Is it compulsory to register for a garden waste subscription?
No. If you do not have a garden or do not want to pay for the collections, you do not need to do anything. However, please be aware if you do not register and make the payment, your brown bin will not be emptied.
Will this encourage more fly-tipping?
We have conducted benchmarking with other councils which charge for the collection of garden waste. This has shown that there is not a significant increase in fly-tipping when charges are introduced.
Fly-tipping is a crime, any person found guilty of fly-tipping will be dealt with in line with our Environmental Enforcement Policy. Report a fly-tip.
Will you take my brown bin away if I am not paying for the service?
We can arrange to collect your brown bin if you decide not to sign up to have your bin emptied. If you still would like your brown bin(s) to be removed, please contact us:
If any bins that we remove are still in good condition, we reuse them. Any bins that are not in good condition or working order, are collected and recycled into plastic pellets and used again to make new bins.
If I have garden waste, but don’t have a subscription, what should I do?
If you don’t want to sign up for the garden waste subscription service, you can home compost or dispose of your garden waste at the household waste recycling centres at Alkerton or Ardley.
Can I put garden waste in my blue recycling bin?
No. If there is garden waste in your blue bin, it will not be emptied. The recycling in the blue bin is sorted at a materials recycling facility where they cannot accept garden waste. The collection crews will be monitoring bins and a thorough check will be made if evidence shows previous contamination.
Can I pay monthly or pay for a one-off collection?
No. Licences will run for a fixed year from 1 March to last day of February following year - you pay the charge once a year irrespective of when you purchase your subscription licence.
We won’t be providing one-off collections as part of this service but you could hire our garden excess service bin(s).
Can I put additional bags at the side of the bin?
No. The charge is per brown bin and only bins showing the official subscription licence label will be emptied. Residents can purchase as many subscription licences as they want for their property.
What if I lose or damage my bin?
The brown bin will be replaced free of charge and a replacement subscription licence label will be supplied once we confirm you have purchased one for your property.
What happens if I damage or lose my subscription licence label?
You can request a replacement. You may be asked to provide evidence of the damaged subscription licence label. If your subscription licence label is damaged for any reason, please can you return this to the depot either by post (together with a prepaid stamped envelope) to the following address: Cherwell District Council, Thorpe Lane Depot, Banbury OX16 4UT or alternatively in person by coming down to the office reception at our depot (same address) and we will provide you with a replacement free of charge.
If however you have lost your subscription licence label, there will be a charge of £5.00 per label.
What happens if I don’t receive my subscription licence label?
When you have paid for your subscription licence, the details will be sent to your address in a welcome pack. This can take up to 28 days. If you haven’t received it after this time, please contact us.
Can I share a bin with my neighbours?
Yes, however this would be a private arrangement between residents. The collection crews will only collect brown bins displaying a valid subscription licence label from the household at which it is registered.
Will the garden waste collection be carried out all-year round?
Yes. There may be occasions due to exceptionally inclement weather, bank holidays etc. when the collections will be suspended. Full details will be provided on the council website if there are any interruptions to the service.
No refunds will be given for unexpected disruptions to the service.
What if I move to a new house?
Please note that although we allow a current subscription to be moved to a different address within the Cherwell District, you must advise customer services of this so that we can ensure your subscription is moved to your new address on our system. You must also take your brown bin with you to that new address.
What if other residents use my bin?
You are responsible for keeping your brown bin secure to ensure other residents cannot put items into it.
I have a smaller brown bin, will it cost the same as a larger brown bin?
We have two different size brown bins (240 litre and 140 litre). The charge is the same for both sizes. Residents with a smaller 140 litre bin will be able to exchange it for a larger 240 litre bin on request, at no cost when they subscribe to the service.
What if my subscription licence label is stolen?
The collection crews will also have a full list of properties who have paid the subscription and any property found to be using a licence fraudulently will have their bin removed.
What if my bin is missed?
Your brown bin(s) needs to be on the boundary of the property by 7am on the scheduled collection day. If the collection is missed, we will return to empty the bin in line with our current arrangements. In exceptionally inclement weather, the contents of the bin may freeze and it may not be possible to empty the bin. In these cases, we will not return until the next scheduled collection day.
Are there any concessions for the garden waste service?
No. The price is the same for everyone’s first annual licence.
Can I subscribe to the service if I move into the area?
You can subscribe to the service at any time throughout the year. Please note that the price remains the same no matter when in the year you order the subscription.
I have an assisted collection service, will it still continue?
Yes, provided you subscribe to the garden waste collection service and are currently registered for assisted collection.
Can I have a larger or more than one garden waste bin?
Regardless of the size of any household (or garden), there is no alternative sized bin provision. Residents who have larger gardens may subscribe to receive several wheelie bins.There are no limits on number of subscriptions.
Will the council clean my bin for the subscription price?
No. The customer is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the bin.
How many collections will I receive for my annual subscription?
Payment does not guarantee you a specific number of collections.
How can I cancel the service?
Please contact us, then we will remove the bin in 10 working days from the termination of the subscription. You will not receive a refund for any unused weeks or months.
Can flats sign up for the service?
Please discuss this with your managing agent or landlord and ask them to contact us to make the arrangements.
Can I have a locked bin?
No. The bin will be your responsibility. Please make sure it is kept in a secure location.
What happens with my garden waste?
The contents of your brown bin are taken to a composting site in Oxfordshire, where it is treated and composted, in just a few months. The compost is then used on local farmers’ fields. The process is called In–Vessel Composting. The garden waste must be composted at very high temperatures. This process allows the garden waste to be broken down, killing potentially harmful weeds or pathogens.
What if my garden waste is contaminated?
If you are unsure of any item that you feel may be a contaminant, please check the Waste Wizard for more information.
Subscription(s) for community halls and places of religious worship?
Please contact us for more information.
How do I remove the current label on the bin?
If the label does not peel off easily, we recommend you using a damp cloth with soapy water to help remove the label.
What should I do if I don't want to renew my subscription?
You will not need to do anything. Once your current subscription ends, your collections will also stop. If you want your brown bin removed, please complete the online bin removal form.