37% pay £56 for garden waste scheme starting next week

Garden waste collections will restart next week for subscribers to Cheshire East Council's Garden Waste Recycling Scheme.

From Monday 15 January, residents who have signed up to the scheme and paid the £56* fee, will continue to have their garden bin emptied each fortnight on their usual collection day.

For residents who would like to opt-in to the scheme but have not yet done so, the quickest and easiest way to sign up is by visiting: cheshireeast.gov.uk/gardenbin and clicking the subscribe button.

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, said: "Once again, I'd like to thank those that have already subscribed to our Garden Waste Recycling Scheme, which now totals almost 56,000 households.

"The scheme is a key element in helping us to increase our income and being able to present a balanced budget by the end of March 2024. This is in the face of significantly increased costs and demand on services, which is presenting an extremely challenging financial environment for the council.

"Over the last few weeks, we have seen an increase in the rate of subscriptions to the scheme, and we expect this trend to continue as garden bin collections restart next week and as we move towards spring and the growing season.

"I'd like to remind people who wish to subscribe but have not yet done so that they can get the most out of their subscription by signing up as soon as possible. It is an annual fee for the scheme, and so it costs the same whether they sign up now, part way through the year or only need a few collections."

Subscriptions cost £56 per garden bin, per year, with a 25% reduction in the fee available for those receiving qualifying benefits.

Residents who have subscribed are reminded that:

• Subscribers will be sent a welcome pack containing their subscription sticker, which will have their address and unique subscription number on it.
• Residents should attach their permit sticker to the back of their garden bin (handle side) as soon as they receive it as garden bins without a valid sticker displaying will not be emptied. The back of the permit sticker does also have instructions for where the sticker should be placed.
• By subscribing, residents may choose to continue using their garden bin to recycle food waste.Garden bins will be emptied fortnightly on residents' usual collection day. 
• Residents can check their collection schedule by visiting: cheshireeast.gov.uk/bins.

Residents will only pay for the Garden Waste Recycling Scheme if they choose to opt-in, and residents can still dispose of their garden waste at their nearest household waste recycling centre.

Residents not able to sign up online can contact the council on 0300 123 5011.

* The Council is proposing to Increase the new garden waste charge for 2025 collections from £56 to £59.