If you don’t want to subscribe to the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme, in 2025 or in future years, then we'd like to know.
We'll be taking back green bins that you no longer want or need at the end of the 2025 garden waste season, in late November and early December.
This will be a one-time only offer and we will only collect empty garden waste bins.
If you want us to collect your green bin, or bins, you'll need to complete a short online form before Sunday 5 October to register for the collection of their bin.
The Garden Bin Take Back Service registration form will open on Monday 1 September.
There are alternative options available to dispose of garden waste; garden waste can be composted at home or can be taken, free of charge, to the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) at Hazel Court HWRC and Towthorpe HWRC.
We also have discounted home composters available to buy for £15 from our HWRCs.
See further information about your green bins and garden waste:
- Retaining and reusing your green bin
- Subscribe for garden waste collections
- Register an interest in garden waste collections
Retaining and reusing your green bin
If you're not subscribing to the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme, you do not have to return your green bins.
You're welcome to keep your bins and can continue to use them in a number of ways, for example:
- for storage
- to reuse as a compost bin
You can reuse your green bin as a compost bin, just like Alan has from Haxby has.
Alan said:
I decided to convert my old green garden waste bin myself into a composter, as the bins were better quality than the black composters.
"They were easier to access, easy to transform with just some hinges and a bolt and you can move them around your garden too. I’ve now converted three green bins into composters which are fantastic, and I’d definitely recommend others doing the same."
Subscribe for garden waste collections
You can still sign-up to the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme, if your household is eligible, until the season ends in December.
The garden waste service operates for 40 weeks per year, with fortnightly collections that run from early March until early December. The charge for the year is £49, regardless of when in the year you register for the service.
A 50% discount is available if you receive Council Tax Support or are registered for a severe mental impairment council tax exemption.
The easiest way to sign up for the scheme is to complete our online form:
If you require support in applying for the scheme, see our Garden Waste Subscription Scheme account help page.
Alternatively, contact the Waste Team by telephone if you're unable to use the online form.
Register an interest in garden waste collections
If you're not currently eligible for garden waste collections, you're able to register an interest in getting collections in the future.
We're sending letters to eligible properties inviting residents who don’t currently have a garden waste collection service, to tell us if you’re interested in joining our scheme.
The information you provide will help us to see if we can potentially extend the service across York and assess whether it would be possible to offer collections at your property in the future.
If you’re unable to complete the garden waste collections survey online, contact the Waste Team by telephone and member of our team will support you.
To stay up to date with the latest waste information and news subscribe to the waste e-newsletter.
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