Subscribe to our garden waste collection service

How our garden waste collection service works, what you need to do to subscribe and what you can do with your garden waste if you do not subscribe.

From 1 April 2026, you'll be able subscribe to our collection service if you want us to empty your garden waste.

We'll continue to collect garden waste bins as usual from 1 April until 28 June 2026. This grace period is to give people the opportunity to subscribe to our service. 

If you have not subscribed by 29 June 2026, we'll stop emptying your garden waste bins. 

You do not need to contact us if you do not wish to subscribe. Unless we hear from you, we will not collect your garden waste.

How to subscribe

Subscribe to our garden waste collection service online

You can also subscribe by telephone, on 0300 373 3300.

Cost 

There's an annual subscription of £60 per bin. 

You'll need to pay the subscription fee in full when you sign up. We do not accept payment in instalments. 

You can subscribe at any time during the collection season for the full £60 subscription fee. There are no discounts for joining midway through the subscription period - the sooner you sign up for the service, the more collections you’ll have.

We do not offer discounts for households who receive benefits or council tax reductions. 

There are no limits on the number of bins you can have. The following costs apply for each extra bin:

  • a one-off payment of £25 
  • an annual subscription fee of £60

How it works 

We’ll collect your garden waste every two weeks between April and March with no collections in the non-growing seasons in December, January and February.  This works out as a maximum of 20 garden waste collections, over the 40-week subscription period. 

Once you've paid, we'll send a sticker for each bin you've subscribed for. We'll send the stickers to you by post, which you must place the sticker under the handle on your bin. 

You must use a bin that we've provided. You cannot use your own bin or any other type of container. 

Your subscription will not automatically renew in March. We’ll contact you before your subscription ends and tell you what to do if you want to sign up again. If you do not renew, we’ll stop collecting your garden waste without further notice. 

How to prepare your garden waste and what to put in your bin. 

What to do with your garden waste if you do not subscribe

If you do not subscribe for a collection, you could take it to one of our Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Another option is to compost your garden waste. Composting at home is the simple way to help nature restore your garden's health and vitality. The following organisations can help you get started: 

Cancelling the service

You have 14 days, from the date you paid, to cancel the service. 

If you cancel within 14 days, we’ll refund your subscription fee. We do not offer refunds after this period. 

You must cancel the service in writing. You can do this by email or letter to: 

Address: Waste Management Team, South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal, LA9 4DQ 
Email: wastepermits@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

You must include following information: 

  • your name 
  • your full address 
  • your unique garden waste property reference number, which is 12 digits long
  • the reason for your cancellation

Terms and conditions

You can find in-depth information about the collection service and what you can expect from us in our terms and conditions for garden waste subscriptions.

Why we have a subscription service

Garden waste collections are not covered by council tax. We must collect general waste and recycling free of charge, but garden waste collection is a discretionary service. 

Around 65% of local authorities in England already charge for garden waste collections as a non-essential and opt-in service.