Cost of the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme
The Garden Waste Subscription Scheme cost for the 2026 season is £52.00.
You're entitled to a 50% discount on 1 bin sticker if you're receiving Council Tax Support, or someone in your household receives a Severe Mental Impairment (SMI) council tax exemption, making the 2026 pro rata cost £26.00.
You’re not eligible for a garden waste subscription scheme discount if you receive other council tax related discounts, as shown in our table. If you’re unsure about your eligibility telephone: 01904 551551.
| Example council tax related discounts | Eligible for a GWSS discount or not |
|---|---|
| Council Tax Support | Yes |
| Severe Mental Impairment (SMI) council tax exemption | Yes |
| Single Person Discount | No |
| Student Discount | No |
| Discretionary Council Tax Reduction | No |
| Second Adult Rebate | No |
| Council tax discount for Disabled people (Disability related Banding reduction) | No |
| Council tax exemptions for people in care/providing care | No |
We’ll use council tax records to confirm your eligibility for a garden waste subscription scheme discount; you’re committing fraud if you claim a discount you aren’t entitled to - your garden waste collections will be affected even if you’ve received stickers.
Paying for the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme
You can subscribe for garden waste collections any time of the year. However, the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme cost is per collection season; to make full use of the scheme we encourage you to subscribe as early as possible.
Online card payment is part of the subscription process; we're unable to accept payments for the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme by cash.
If you're unable to subscribe online, contact Waste Services to complete your subscription and payment by telephone - you'll need to have your payment card details ready.
Direct Debit payment
For the 2026 Garden Waste season, we're offering an annual Direct Debit payment option for landlords and letting agents purchasing subscriptions for a multiple properties.
This option is only available for landlords or agents purchasing subscriptions for 5 or more different properties. It allows you to apply and pay for multiple subscriptions more easily.
For further information about landlord and letting agent Direct Debit payments contact us on email: gwbulkpermit@york.gov.uk.
Cancelling your garden waste subscription
You have a right to cancel the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme within 14 days of paying, without giving a reason, and you'll be entitled to a full refund. If you cancel after 14 days you will not be entitled to a refund.
Contact Waste Services by telephone about subscription cancellations.
If you cancel you must either return the bin stickers, or ensure they've been removed from your garden waste bin and destroyed. We'll advise what to do with any garden waste bins supplied as part of your cancelled subscription.
Sharing a garden waste bin
If you're eligible for the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme but think 1 garden bin can meet the needs of you and your neighbour, you can share a bin.
Any agreement made between neighbours to share a garden waste bin is a private arrangement. You'll need to decide between neighbours who subscribes; their address will be used for collections and will appear on the sticker.
The person who subscribes will be responsible for compliance with the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme Terms and Conditions, even if they share the garden bin with neighbours; this is because our agreement is with that person.
Also see
- Composting
- Hazel Court Household Waste Recycling Centre
- Towthorpe and Strensall Household Waste Recycling Centre
