Garden waste collection

Registrations are now open.

If you would like your garden waste collected regularly, we offer a paid-for garden waste service.  

  • Permits cost each £35 for one year, which runs from November to November
  • the 2022 / 2023 service year runs from 7 November 2022 to 5 November 2023
  • we collect your brown bin once every two weeks 
  • you can pay by our newly launched direct debit option or make a one-off payment. If you pay by direct debit, your permit will renew automatically every year
  • if you meet our eligibility criteria for an exemption you can receive the service for free but must still register
  • you can order multiple permits 
  • your permit must be clearly visible on your bin as we can only empty bins with a valid permit sticker 
  • refer to terms and conditions   
  • you can only get a service if you sign up during a registration window
  • we pause the service for 1 month during the Christmas period.

What goes in your garden waste bin 

  • Flowers, plants and weeds 
  • grass cuttings and leaves 
  • hedge clippings, twigs and small branches. 

Please do not put the following in your brown bin. If you do, we won’t be able to empty it: 

  • Animal waste and bedding 
  • plant pots 
  • soil or turf.

Receiving your 2022 / 2023 permit 

When you sign up for the 2022 / 2023 service, we will send you a confirmation email to let you know that you have successfully registered. 

You’ll then receive your 2022 / 2023 permit and collections calendar by post by the end of the next month. For example, if you register in January, we will send your permit(s) to you in February and your service will start in the first two weeks of March with the exact date dependant on the scheduled collection day for your street.

 Please stick your permit on your brown bin as soon as you receive it, making sure it is clearly visible, and not over the top of any old permits. 

If you signed up for the 2022 / 2023 service year and haven’t received you permit in the post by the end of the next month, please let us know by emailing gardenwaste@edinburgh.gov.uk.  

Festive pause

We don’t collect garden waste from 19 December to 15 January. After 15 January 2023, we’ll collect your brown bin on your next normal collection day. 

On your first January collection you can put Christmas trees in your garden waste bin. If it’s over 7ft, please chop it in half and remove the branches. 

Damaged or missing bins 

If you need a brown bin or it’s missing or damaged, you can order one for free by emailing gardenwaste@edinburgh.gov.uk. Please include your full name, address and the reason for your request. 

Other ways to recycle garden waste