Garden waste collection frequently asked questions

What date does the service start and end?

The service runs from 25 March to 14 November 2025. The garden waste will be collected once every two weeks. The service operates Tuesday to Friday. Find your bin collection day.

Is this service included in my Council Tax?

It is not included in Council Tax. However, we have tried to keep the charges as low as possible.

Will I pay less Council Tax if I subscribe to the garden waste scheme?

No this service is not included in your Council Tax charge.

Why should I subscribe to the service before 28 February 2025?

If you subscribe before 28 February 2025 you are guaranteed to receive all 17 collections between 25 March and 14 November 2025. Subscribing before this date also allows us to plan the routes better, reducing fuel consumption and maximising efficiency. It also gives us enough time to deliver the garden waste sticker and any additional bins which have been requested.

Can I subscribe after 28 February 2025?

Yes, you can subscribe any time during the year, but you will only receive the remaining collections of the service and you will still pay the same price.

What if I don't want to pay for the service?

If you do not wish to sign up for the new garden waste service, your garden waste bin will not be emptied.

How do you know if I paid my subscription?

Once you subscribe for the service this will be automatically recorded in our system. Crews have access to the system which identities all subscribers of the service. You will also be provided with a sticker for your bin to confirm that you have paid for collections, this should be placed underneath the handles of your bin which will help the crews to identify which bins to collect.

How can I pay for this service?

You can sign up online or by calling us on 0191 520 5550 and making a debit or credit card payment. Lines are open between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

If I cancel my subscription, will I get a refund?

You have the right to cancel your subscription within 14 days of subscribing, provided you have not received any collections. If a collection has been made or 14 days has expired, no refund will be offered. If you wish to cancel, please call us on 0191 520 5550 and ask for 'garden waste'.

Do I pay a lower rate if I join towards the end of the year?

The price is a fixed charge regardless of when you join the service.

Do I have to pay the same garden waste charge as anyone else even though I am on benefits/I am a senior citizen?

Yes. There are no concessions.

Do I get any discounts if I need more than one bin?

The price is £38.50 per year to have each brown bin emptied, up to a maximum of four.

I have not signed up to this service in the past. How do I know if I can opt in or if I am eligible for this service?

If you received the garden waste service in the past you can expect to be eligible to subscribe again.

If you have a property with a garden, you are likely to be eligible, unless the property is either too remote or it cannot be accessed by our collection vehicles. Due to these reasons each case will be considered by a Refuse Manager.

I do not have much garden waste. Can I share a garden waste bin with a neighbour?

Yes, the charge is per bin and there are no issues with this practice. You or your neighbour will need to decide who is to register for the service and make the payment.

I have a very big garden. How many bins can I get?

The maximum number of bins we are willing to empty from one property alone is four, as more than that may create logistical problems for the collection crews.

I am moving to a new house. Do I need to cancel my service?

The subscription is for the property only and the garden waste collection service is not transferable to another address. The payment made is not refundable.

Can I apply for assisted collection?

An assisted collection service is available upon request for eligible households. To receive an assisted collection service, you can apply online or by calling 0191 520 5550. If you are already on an assisted collection for your other bin types, then this should automatically apply to your garden waste bin, and you will continue to receive assisted collections.

Why do I need to have the sticker/my address on the back of the garden waste bin?

The sticker and address will make it easier for the crew to identify, collect and return the garden waste bin to the right property. You must leave the bin at the kerbside with the handle facing the road, as normal, so it is easier for the crews to see the sticker beneath the handle.

Why is garden waste not collected all year round?

During the winter months the service is suspended as there is little garden waste and it is uneconomical to send vehicles for a small number of bins that may contain garden waste. If you would like to recycle your garden waste during these months, you can place it in a compost bin yourself or you can take it to the Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) at Pallion in Sunderland or the HWRC at Campground at Wrekenton. Please note you must make a booking to use these sites.

We also offer a bulky waste collection service.

If I don't currently have garden waste bins at all and I want to subscribe, do I have to pay to have the bin delivered?

Currently replacement bins are free with no charge for delivery.

Will my collection day change, or will it stay the same?

On occasion your bin collection day may change and we will inform you.

My bin sticker is damaged or lost. Can I get another one?

Stickers can be replaced by contacting us on 0191 520 5550.

My garden waste bin is stolen/lost/damaged. Can request another one?

Yes. Please request a replacement bin online or by calling 0191 520 5550.

Can I request a bigger/smaller bin?

All brown garden waste bins are a standard size. If you consider one bin is not enough you can order additional bins, as detailed above.

If I have additional garden waste, will you collect it if it does not fit in the bin?

No, all waste must be presented within your bin and the with the lid closed. We do not collect any side waste as part of any of the refuse collections. Therefore, if you cannot fit all your waste in your current bins please:

compost what you can
purchase additional bins from us
take the waste to one of the Household Waste and Recycling Centres at Pallion, Deptford, Sunderland or Campground at Wrekenton. Please note you must make a booking before visiting these sites.

For further information on disposal of any of your waste please visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/householdwaste

What should I place in the garden waste bin?

There are a range of things that you can and can't put in your garden waste bin.

Do not place garden waste in plastic bags. Place garden waste directly in the bin. Items which can be put in are grass cuttings; weeds and dead plants; twigs and small branches; hedge clippings; cut flowers and houseplants; shrub pruning's; leaves.

Items which cannot be put in are:

food waste including meat, fish, fruit, salad and vegetables
plastic or plastic packaging; any packaging
vegetable peelings and egg shells
tea bags or coffee grinds
large items of garden waste, for example tree trunks and thick branches
soil, rubble and bricks

Will you collect leaf, fruit and seed fall from trees that have fallen onto my property?

Leaves, fruit, and seeds which fall naturally from a tree do not have a legal owner and are not the responsibility of the council. It's the responsibility of the property owner, once they have collected any leaves, fruit, or seeds from their property to dispose of them. Leaves and seeds can be placed in your brown bin. Please put any fruit fall into your general household waste bin as we cannot recycle fruit as garden waste.

Do I get a refund if my bin is not collected?

There are no refunds, but if it is identified that the council is at fault, we will return to empty it.

I do not want the service anymore. Can you take my bin away?

You can make a request to have your bin removed, which is free of charge.

Can I place the garden waste in my general household waste bin?

You can place small amounts of garden waste in your general household waste bin, but you must consider that by doing this the rubbish bin will fill up more quickly. We will not remove side waste even if your bin is full. Bins that are too heavy, contain the wrong items or are overfilled so the lid won't close, will not be emptied.

How can I dispose of garden waste if I do not wish to join the scheme?

Composting - a good alternative is to compost your garden waste. Composting is a natural process that transforms your uncooked vegetable kitchen waste and garden waste into a nutrient rich food for your garden. A home composter can turn around 30% of your total household waste into compost and it is easy to do. You can either make your own compost heap or buy a compost bin
Household Waste and Recycling Centres - use the centres at Pallion, Sunderland and Campground at Wrekenton for free. Please make a booking before you visit

For further information on disposal of any of your waste please visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/householdwaste.

Can I burn my garden waste?

Garden waste tends to produce quite a lot of smoke which may amount to an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. A smoky bonfire may amount to a nuisance for a neighbour if it limits their enjoyment of their gardens, preventing them hanging out washing or opening windows. Fumes can be damaging to health and affect air quality. Under section 80 of the Environmental Act 1990 an 'abatement order' can be issued and if the activity is not ceased a substancial fine can be imposed.