Searches for “pay for garden waste collection” have surged by 150% in the last 30 days as more people spend time outdoors and start tidying gardens for summer.
But the cost of garden waste collection can vary significantly depending on where you live.
New research from Divert has analysed garden waste collection charges across UK councils to reveal which areas pay the most, which pay the least, and where free services are still available.
The analysis found that Waverley Borough Council has the highest garden waste collection charge in the UK, at £136.70 per bin. This is 229.79% higher than the UK average of £41.45.
Garden waste charges were collected from individual council websites and are correct as of 8 June 2026. Prices, discounts, collection rules, and subscription terms may change.
The councils charging the most for garden waste collection
The most expensive garden waste collection services are concentrated in the South East and London.
The top 10 highest garden waste collection charges are:
Waverley Borough Council: £136.70
East Hampshire District Council: £130.00
Kingston upon Thames: £104.00
Barnet: £103.80
Brighton and Hove City Council: £102.00
Isle of Wight Council: £102.00
Lewisham: £100.63
Enfield: £100.00
Mid Sussex District Council: £99.50
Adur & Worthing Councils: £99.00
Waverley Borough Council, which covers areas including Godalming, Farnham, and Haslemere, ranked as the most expensive authority in the research. Its garden waste collection service runs as an annual subscription, with fortnightly collections.
East Hampshire District Council followed closely behind at £130. The council’s service also runs on a subscription basis and does not include collections over the Christmas period. It is one of only two councils in the top 10 to list a reduced option, with a £28 sack subscription available for benefit reduction customers.
Kingston upon Thames ranked third, charging £104 for a garden waste collection subscription. The service runs for 12 months from the first collection, with fortnightly collections.
Several councils in the top 10 also charge the same full subscription cost for more than one bin, meaning households with larger gardens may pay significantly more.
The cheapest garden waste collection charges
The lowest-cost garden waste services are not always directly comparable, as some councils charge per sack or bag rather than offering an annual wheeled-bin subscription.
However, the lowest garden waste charges identified in the research were:
Ceredigion County Council: £2.30 per bag
Caerphilly County Borough Council: £4.10 per sack
Bury Borough Council: £17.50
Blackpool Council: £30.00
Barnsley Borough Council: £32.00
Colchester City Council: £32.50
Ashfield District Council: £35.00
Hyndburn Borough Council: £35.00
North Tyneside Borough Council: £35.00
Nottingham City Council: £36.50
Ceredigion County Council had the lowest listed charge in the research, at £2.30 per bag. Caerphilly County Borough Council followed at £4.10 per sack.
These lower costs show why it is important to look beyond headline prices. A per-bag charge may suit households with small gardens, but could become less practical for those producing larger volumes of grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, branches, or seasonal garden waste.
Bury Borough Council was the lowest annual-style charge identified in England, at £17.50. The council notes that the lower charge is designed to encourage recycling.
Garden waste collection costs by region
The South East has the highest average garden waste collection cost in the UK, at £72.14.
London follows at £68.09, with the South West close behind at £66.78.
The average garden waste collection costs by region are:
South East: £72.14
London: £68.09
South West: £66.78
East of England: £54.67
West Midlands: £47.99
East Midlands: £44.10
North East: £43.17
Scotland: £41.93
North West: £34.51
Yorkshire and the Humber: £29.84
Wales: £28.95
Northern Ireland: £5.34
Northern Ireland recorded the lowest average cost, largely because many councils include garden waste as part of existing kerbside collection services.
Yorkshire and the Humber also sits well below the UK average, with an average charge of £29.84.
Where are free garden waste collections still available?
Our research found that 46 councils offer some form of free garden waste service, although what this includes varies by council.
Some free services may only apply to specific container types, limited collection periods, certain property types, or areas where garden waste is included within wider kerbside recycling.
By region, the highest proportions of councils offering a free service are:
Northern Ireland: 7 out of 11 councils, 64%
Yorkshire and the Humber: 6 out of 15 councils, 40%
North West: 10 out of 36 councils, 28%
Wales: 5 out of 22 councils, 23%
Scotland: 4 out of 31 councils, 13%
The South West and North East had no councils recorded as offering a free garden waste service in this dataset.
Only 3% of councils in the South East offered a free service, despite the region having the highest average garden waste collection cost.
Why do garden waste collection costs vary so much?
Garden waste collection charges vary because councils structure their services differently.
Some operate annual subscriptions. Others charge per bag, sack, bin, or collection. Some include garden waste within household recycling, while others run it as an optional paid service.
Costs can also depend on:
Collection frequency
Whether the service pauses over winter
Whether additional bins cost extra
Whether food waste is accepted
Whether discounts are available
The cost of processing garden waste locally
Transport and staffing costs
This means a cheaper service is not always better value, especially if it offers fewer collections or uses smaller containers.
It also means residents should check what is included before comparing prices.
What can go in garden waste collections?
Most council garden waste collections accept typical garden materials such as grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, weeds, plants, leaves, twigs, and small branches.
However, rules differ between councils. Many services do not accept food waste, soil, rubble, plant pots, treated wood, or large branches.
With Simpler Recycling now changing how food waste is separated in England, households should pay close attention to whether food waste is accepted in their garden waste bin. Many councils in the higher-cost list specifically state that food waste is not accepted.
Putting the wrong waste in a garden bin can lead to missed collections or contamination issues.
Expert comment
John Verity, Managing Director at Divert, comments on garden waste costs:
“Garden waste collection costs vary massively across the UK, so households should check what they’re actually paying for before signing up. For some, an annual council subscription will work well, but for one-off clearances or larger garden projects, a licensed collection service may be more practical and cost-effective.”
What to do if council garden waste collection does not suit your needs
Council garden waste collections are useful for regular, smaller amounts of garden waste. But they may not suit everyone. A paid subscription may not be worth it if you only clear your garden once or twice a year. It may also be difficult if you produce large amounts of waste after landscaping, hedge cutting, tree work, or a major garden tidy.
In these cases, a one-off garden waste collection can be more practical.
Divert provides garden waste clearance for households and businesses that need help removing larger or irregular amounts of garden waste. This can include waste from garden clearances, seasonal tidy-ups, and outdoor projects.
Our service offers an alternative for people who do not want an annual subscription or need waste removed quickly.
Methodology
Divert analysed garden waste collection costs listed on individual UK council websites.
Where possible, the listed cost for a garden waste subscription was recorded. If a council did not offer a garden waste collection service, did not provide a clear price, did not charge per item or subscription, or did not provide the service directly, the entry was omitted from the price ranking.
Discounts were recorded where they were listed on the council website. Notes were added to explain individual charging systems, including whether services were based on annual subscriptions, sacks, bags, seasonal collections, or additional bin charges.
Data is correct as of 8 June 2026 and is subject to change.
The full dataset can be viewed here:
