Garden waste bins
We introduced a garden waste subscription service on 1 April 2026. This means that if you want us to remove your garden waste, you’ll need to buy a subscription.
Find the terms and conditions for our garden waste collection service and how to subscribe.
The following information is for people who have subscriptions for their garden waste.
What you can put in your green waste bin
We can take:
- leaves, grass cuttings and hedge trimmings
- flowers, plants and weeds (non-invasive species only)
- branches under 10cm in diameter
- straw or sawdust from vegetarian household pets
- real Christmas trees – if they’re small
What we cannot accept in your green waste bin
We cannot collect:
- soil, turf and compost
- stones
- invasive species (such as Japanese Knotweed or Ragwort)
- plastic, metal and glass
- branches over 10cm in diameter
- treated wood
- bedding from non-vegetarian pets
- food waste, such as vegetable peelings or used tea bags – you may be able to compost some of this material
- large Christmas trees
- paper and cardboard
- trade waste for recycling or disposal - there's a different process for trade waste recycling
How to compost at home
There are lots of good reasons to compost, such as:
- improving your soil
- saving money and resources
- reducing your impact on the environment
The following organisations can help you get started:
- Get Composting – information on composting bins and food digesters
- Garden Organic: Cumbria Master Composters - advice and volunteering opportunities
- Recycle now - how to set up home composting