Garden waste - frequently asked questions

Our collection crews are now equipped with an in-vehicle computer which displays all the addresses on their route which have paid. This means we no longer need customers to display a new sticker each year, just their house number or name.

The in-vehicle computers update regularly meaning customers will receive collections within a few days of their payments. Stickers previously took up to three weeks to be received, so new customers will benefit from being able to use the service sooner than in previous years.

You will need to clearly display your house name or number on your bin, under the handle, on the back. The crews have an in-vehicle system to tell them which addresses to collect from. Adding your number ensures the crew can identify your bin.

If the address is not clearly visible to crews, they will not empty the bin and will be unable to return before the next scheduled collection.

If you do not currently have your house number or house name on the bin, you can purchase stickers for this purpose. Alternatively, you can paint these on.

No, it is the resident's responsibility to clearly display the house name or number on their container.

Yes - as long as your house name or number is clearly visible on the old sticker then the crews will be able to identify your address using these.

You can use permanent marker pen on the bag to display the house name or number.

No, it is the resident's responsibility to clearly display the house name or number on their container.

View your waste collection days online (opens new window).

More information about the chargeable garden waste service, including what you can and can't dispose of in the bin can be found on the garden waste collections page.

The cost of the service can be found on our main garden waste page. Each payment covers the cost of providing one fortnightly garden waste collection until 30 June 2024, and not a set number of collections. The price you pay is dependent on when you sign up and the dates when the payment amount changes are displayed on our website. All contracts end on 30 June. 

No concessions are available.

You can sign up and pay online. Payment can be made by debit or credit card. Alternatively you can pay over the phone by calling 0300 456 0103.

A small number of people have problems accessing the online payments page. Most people who have experienced an issue have been able to successfully renew online by using a different web browser or device.

Therefore, if you have access to a different browser (such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge), or have a different device that can be used, please copy and paste this URL, https://ilforms.wiltshire.gov.uk/PaymentsCGW (opens new window), to the address bar in the alternative browser (this is the same link that is in your email and on our garden waste page) and try again.

Alternatively, please call us on 0300 456 0103 to speak to an adviser who can take your payment.

Yes, if you would like to have your garden waste collected then you will need to pay the subscription fee, the cost of the service can be found on our main garden waste page. We will make sure that you have the same capacity for garden waste as those people who have bins. This will mean that you can have up to a maximum of four sacks. If you have room to accommodate a bin please contact us. Alternatively subsidised food waste composters, which also compost garden waste, are available.

You do not need to contact us to opt-out. If you have an unwanted, empty, bin which you'd like us to remove you can request a retrieval (opens new window).

Yes, each additional bin will be charged as a new subscription. The prices and link to sign up can be found on our main garden waste page. There is no limit on the number of bins each address can have.

When you pay to receive a garden waste collection your property details will be added to a collection round which is shown to the crews on an in-vehicle computer. You will need to display your address (house name or number) to identify to the crews that you have paid for the year. Bins will not be emptied if the address is not clearly visible to our staff.

Yes, you can share your bin with a neighbour if you wish. The bin will be charged to one resident and will be collected from that property only.

You can sign up to receive the service at any point during the year. The full annual charge covers collections from 1 July until 30 June each year but if you sign up part way through the year you will be charged a pro-rata amount until the end of June.

The dates when the payment amount changes are displayed on the garden waste page. Each payment covers the cost of providing one fortnightly garden waste collection until 30 June 2024, and not a set number of collections. The price you pay is dependent on when you sign up and the dates when the payment amount changes are displayed on the Garden waste collections page. All contracts end on 30 June.

Yes, you are able to request that a bin is delivered when you sign up and pay (opens new window). There will be no delivery charge if you have not had a garden waste bin collected within the last year.

Garden waste collected through kerbside collections and at household recycling centres is composted under a contract with Hills Waste Solutions at either Parkgate Farm in Purton or Newbourne Farm in Rockbourne.

At both sites the garden waste is finely shredded, then stacked in long piles called 'windrows'. The material is regularly turned and moistened to complete up the decomposition process, which takes about 12 weeks. This produces a high quality compost and blended top soil products for farming, landscaping and gardening, which is produced to strictly controlled standards and certified to BSI PAS 100.

Compost can be purchased in small bags from Wiltshire's Household recycling centres (HRCs) or in larger volumes directly from Hills Waste Solutions (opens new window).

There is no limit on the number of garden waste bins you can pay for. You can also take garden waste to any of the Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) for composting, or you can compost some of your waste at home. See the reducing your waste and composting page  for more information on how to get a compost bin at a reduced price. 

If you are moving within Wiltshire, you can transfer the service to your new address when you move. Use the form on our website (opens new window). 

If you are moving outside of Wiltshire we are unfortunately unable to issue any refunds or take payments for only part of the year. If you know you are going to be moving, you can take your garden waste to a household recycling centre for free rather than signing up if you prefer.

We occasionally experience problems with emptying garden waste bins where the contents or the lids have frozen, or where too much waste has been compacted into the bin. Our refuse loaders will endeavour to shake the bins two or three times to try to release the contents as much as possible but some waste may remain in the bin. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to return to empty these bins and would ask that you please release the contents before adding any more garden waste to the bin.

To process our garden waste into useable compost, our composting contractor uses a technique known as open air windrow composting. This treatment has minimal cost and environmental impacts compared to many other processes due to the reduced requirement for construction and the low requirement for fuel needed for this process. If we were to accept any type of food waste along with the garden waste we collect (as some other local authorities do) there would unfortunately be huge changes needed to comply with legal environmental permits and BSI PAS100 standard, including having to compost these materials inside large, temperature controlled buildings or vessels which would be very costly.

Yes, we continue to offer subsidised food waste composters which will also compost garden waste. This is a good alternative to paying for a collection or taking garden waste to a  household recycling centre. You will also create great compost to use at home.

Yes, you can continue to take your garden waste to any of Wiltshire Council's household recycling centres free of charge. Please check the opening hours of your nearest household recycling centre before visiting .

The council offers subsidised food waste composters which will also compost garden waste. This is a good alternative to taking garden waste to the household recycling centre. You will also create great compost to use at home.

The cost of having garden waste collected has increased from £60 per bin to £66 per bin for the year which reflects current inflation levels and provides some recovery of operational costs. The Controlled Waste Regulations (England and Wales) 2012 allow councils to apply a charge for the collection of garden waste.

Yes. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, councils can charge for the collection of garden waste. Charging for the collection of garden waste is in line with almost all neighbouring councils who also have a charged service. You can still take your garden waste to any of the council's household recycling centres at no charge.

No concessions are available.

No. The collection crews will visit your property regardless of whether you put your bin out for collection. You could talk to your neighbours about the possibility of sharing the cost and a bin.

No, the chargeable service will only be suspended for two weeks over the Christmas and New Year period. The full year's charge is based on 25 collections per year.

You should not put garden waste in your household waste bin. Additional waste placed next to your household waste bin will not be collected. If you choose not to receive the kerbside garden waste collection service then you could compost at home or can take your garden waste to any of the council's Household recycling centres (HRCs) at no charge.

Yes. The council does not collect garden waste for two weeks over the Christmas and New Year period which will mean that residents who pay before the contract year starts on 1 July will receive 25 collections for each year.

Check collection dates

No. Only residents who pay to have their garden waste collected at the kerbside will have their real Christmas trees collected. One real Christmas tree will be collected per property. Residents who don't sign up for the chargeable garden waste service can take their real Christmas trees to any of the council's household recycling centres for free.

If your real Christmas tree is over five foot, please cut it into manageable pieces and put it in your garden waste bin if there is room.

No, all garden waste must be contained within the bin with the bin lid closed.

The council will continue to own the bins.

Yes. These larger bins are left over from before Wiltshire Council was formed in 2009. It is council policy to provide 180 litre garden waste bins and therefore as these old bins need to be replaced they will be replaced with standard 180 litre bins, ensuring all residents receive the same service. It would not be cost effective to retrieve all larger bins in use and replace them with new.

No. The annual charge is based on the collection of garden waste from a 180 litre wheeled bin which is the standard size used across the county.

When you move house all bins should be left at the property. Please contact the council to inform us that you are moving (opens new window) so we can collect your garden waste bin or ask the new resident if they wish to receive the service. 

If you would like to continue to receive a charged garden waste collection from your new property we can transfer your contract/payment to your new address (providing it is within the Wiltshire Council area) and will ensure that a bin is available at your new house.

If you are moving outside of Wiltshire or would like to cancel your contract you can do so but you would not be entitled to a refund.

You should clearly mark your property name or number on the garden waste bin. You should also ensure that your bin is placed in a location which means that it is difficult for others to put waste in your bin, unless you choose to share this with them. 

Retrieving your bin from the kerbside soon after it is emptied will also help to ensure that others do not use your bin.