How often is garden waste collected and what can I put in my garden waste bin?
We collect garden waste every two weeks between March 1 and November 30, on the same day that we collect your recycling and food waste.
Garden waste is only collected monthly during December, January and February but resumes again to fortnightly in March.
We can accept grass cuttings, hedge and shrub prunings, twigs and small branches, weeds, plants, dead flowers, leaves and bark.
We cannot take any soil, wood, bricks, stones, ash, Japanese knotweed, plastic bags, pet bedding, pet and animal faeces, cardboard, food waste or any general waste.
About the service
Pay/sign up
You can also use the online form to order and pay for a new garden waste bin.
How much does the garden waste collection service cost and how can I sign up?
Service cost
The cost is £25 per bin for 2022/23 and the service runs from September 5, 2022 to September 1, 2023. You can sign up for the service any time during the year.
We do not accept payments in instalments, payment must be made in full.
How to sign up
The quickest and easiest way to sign up and pay for the service is online.
It can take up to 10 working days for us to register the requests and post your confirmation letter, Terms and Conditions and adhesive label to you. Your collection sticker will be sent in the post to the address provided on this form, further details of the service will be included in the covering letter and information pack.
How do you know who has paid for garden waste collection and who hasn’t?
Once you have registered for the service you will receive an adhesive label(s) to stick on your garden waste bin lid(s). The label will state the address that the bin belongs to and will help the collection crew to quickly identify if the service has been paid for.
Can I share a garden waste bin with my neighbour?
Yes, you can agree this with your neighbour. On collection day, the garden waste bin must be outside the property of the householder who has subscribed to the service.
What can I do with my garden waste if I do not want to pay for the collection service?
You can take your garden waste to one of our household waste recycling centres (free of charge). Alternatively, you could compost garden waste at home.
I do not want to pay for the service – will you remove my garden waste bin?
If you choose not to pay for this service, your garden waste bin(s) will not be emptied after September 4, 2022.
Any unwanted garden waste bins can be removed on request. You can request removal of a garden waste bin online through our ‘new and replacement bin or boxes’ form.
Request garden waste bin removal
Once requested it may take a number of weeks for the bin to be collected. In the meantime, make sure your bin remains empty, accessible, but not left out causing an obstruction.
It may be worth keeping hold of your old garden waste bin for now because, if your garden waste bin has been removed and you change your mind in future, there is a charge for a new one.
What happens if I currently pay someone to cut my grass or attend to my garden?
If the garden waste materials are placed into your garden waste bin, then you would still need to subscribe to this service. Alternatively, you can ask your gardener or the person who carries out the work for you, to take the garden waste away and dispose of it responsibly (they may charge you to do so).
If you pay your gardener, the waste will be classed as trade waste when they remove it from your property. Trade waste cannot be taken to any of our household recycling centres. Remember, if you are a householder you are required by law to check that anyone removing waste from your property is authorised to do so under “Duty of Care”. Householders who do not take reasonable measures to check that operators are legitimate waste carriers could be liable for a fine.
Background
Why is there a charge for garden waste collections?
Given the current period of austerity and the ongoing financial challenges we are facing as a council, the decision was made to introduce a charge for this service (similar to that already introduced by a number of councils across England and Wales).
By charging for garden waste collections this also follows the Welsh Government’s Blueprint recommendations for waste collections in Wales.
What is the law about charging to collect garden waste?
The Controlled Waste (England & Wales) Regulations 2012 set out the powers that local authorities have to charge for the collection and disposal of certain wastes. Paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 of these regulations sets out that a council may charge for the collection (but not the disposal) of household garden waste.
While we do have a duty to dispose of household waste free of charge, we don’t have a statutory duty to provide free garden collections.
Don’t I already pay for this service through my Council Tax?
No - garden waste collections aren’t paid for through Council Tax, but through the funding we get from the Welsh Government (funding that has been reduced in recent years).
After you have signed up for the service
Will my collection day or collection time change for any garden waste bins that I pay for?
Initially your collection day will remain the same and you should present your garden waste bin for collection as you do now. Your bin must be placed out for collection by 7.30 am.
Where do I stick the identification sticker to show I have paid?
Attach the identification sticker(s) to the lid of your garden waste bin(s). This allows the collection crew to make a quick check and to ensure the stickers aren't damaged by the lifting equipment.
The collection crews will not collect any garden waste bins without a sticker displayed.
What if my garden waste bin is stolen, or my sticker is damaged/missing?
Missing bin
Check with your neighbours first to make sure they have not taken the garden waste bin by mistake.
You can report a lost or stolen bin online through our ‘new and replacement bin or boxes’ form.
Report a lost or stolen bin
It is the responsibility of the householder to ensure their garden waste bin(s) are safely stored. In the event of a missing bin, there will be a charge for a replacement.
We encourage you to mark your garden waste bin with your house number or address to make your bin clearly identifiable.
Stickers
For damaged or missing stickers, please email contact-us@wrexham.gov.uk with your name and address.
What happens if I move house?
If you move house during the period of your subscription you can transfer this subscription to your new address if this is in Wrexham. You will need to contact us to tell us that you have moved house, so that we can update our records.
This can be done online through our ‘general enquiry or comments’ form (select Pride in Your Streets for the service).
Refunds cannot be provided if you move out of Wrexham or if the service is not offered to your new property. Refunds will also not available if you move to a new property and require fewer bins than you have subscribed for at your previous address.
Do I need to renew my payment every year?
Yes - you'll need to renew your payment every year and you'll be able to do this each year in the run up to September 5.
Again, the quickest and easiest way to pay for the subscription is online here.
Further pricing/payment information
Can I pay for collections for only part of the year?
No - if you join part way through the year or only need a collection a few times a year, you will still have to pay the annual charge per bin.
Are there any concessions?
There are currently no concessions.
Can I purchase more than one garden waste bin?
Yes, more than one garden waste bin per household can be purchased.
You can use the online form to order and pay for a new garden waste bin (as well as to sign up and pay for the collection service).
The cost of an additional garden waste bin is currently £20 per bin, but you will still need to sign up any additional garden waste bins for the collection service (at the annual service cost).
Refunds
Can I get a refund if I decide to cancel my subscription?
You have the right to cancel your subscription and obtain a full refund within 14 days of the day of purchase. There will be no refunds after the 14 day ‘cooling off period’ has expired.
Can I get a refund for my garden waste bin?
No, the cost of a garden waste bin is for delivery only.
Do I get a refund if my garden waste bin is not emptied?
No, genuine missed collections are rare. If your bin hasn't been emptied it may be because it contains the wrong items or it's too heavy. If your bin was not out by 7.30 am on the collection day you may also have missed the collection time.
We reserve the right to cancel collections due to circumstances beyond our control (for example severe weather). If your missed collection is our fault, then we will always make an effort to collect your bin as soon as possible.