We’re working hard to keep our waste and cleansing services running during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Staff shortages and social distancing measures mean we need to prioritise key services and adapt the way we deliver them.
From Tuesday 7 April, we’ll suspend garden waste collections until further notice. We’ll be in touch with households who have paid for this service about how we will compensate for the reduction in service once we know the extent of the disruption.
We’re operating under exceptionally challenging circumstances and the health and safety of residents and our crews is our priority, which is why we must prioritise the collection of non-recyclable waste – for example grey wheelie bins and black lidded communal bins and food collections over other types of waste.
We’re focused on helping our most vulnerable residents. If you have comments or questions about the service suspension, please don’t phone at this stage as it’s vitally important we keep our phone lines free so our contact centre staff can deal with emergency calls. We really appreciate your patience and understanding at this time.
How you can help
- If you have symptoms of Coronavirus you must follow the guidance on how to dispose of your waste correctly.
- If your bin is full please don’t add more garden waste as the contents will start to compost and become very heavy. This means it may become too heavy to empty when services start again.
- Please try to continue recycling your garden waste by using a compost bin if possible. You can also search for online tutorials on YouTube about how to build a compost bin.
- If you’re unable to compost from home, then please store your garden waste in a corner of your garden until the service starts again.
- If you’ve had a missed bin collection for our other services, please remove your bin from the street and put it out on your next collection day. If you can’t wait until your next pick up day, you can report a missed bin and we’ll try our best to get it.
- Check on your neighbours and family and offer to put bins out for collection for anyone who is unable or might be self-isolating.
- For regular updates and changes to bin collections visit our waste and recycling service – coronavirus updates web page and Twitter.
Registering for garden waste
Registration for garden waste is closed.
Garden waste is a £25 fee bin collection service that runs from October to October. Current garden waste permits expire on 4 October 2020.
There are no further opportunities to sign up to this current year. The registration window will open in the summer to sign up for the next year starting in October 2020.
Read the garden waste terms and conditions
Replacement and unwanted bins
We have currently suspended bin deliveries and repairs.
Moving house
If you move to a new house, you can transfer your permit to your new address. Please give us up to 6 weeks' notice and take your brown bin and permit sticker with you.
Other ways to recycle
You can still recycle your garden waste by using a compost bin.
Find out what happens to all the recycling and waste collected in Edinburgh.