Garden waste collection frequently asked questions

When does the service start and end?
The service runs from March to November with 17 scheduled collections during the subscription period. The garden waste will be collected once every two weeks. The service operates Tuesday to Friday, you can check when your collection day is.

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 in Wrekenton. Please note you must make a booking to use these sites. We also offer a bulky waste collection service.

When should I subscribe to the service?
If you subscribe before 28 February each year, you are guaranteed to receive all 17 collections between March and November. Subscribing before this date also allows us to plan the routes efficiently and allows enough time to send out the garden waste sticker and any additional bins. If you subscribe later in the year, you will only receive the remaining collections of the service and still pay the same price because it is a fixed charge regardless of when you join the service.

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 is included in the subscription?
The garden waste annual subscription prices are subject to annual review and the applicable price for upcoming seasons will be published on the Garden waste webpage and will also be reflected in the Garden waste sign up process.

Your garden waste will be collected once every two weeks. The Service runs from a Tuesday to a Friday. A brown bin will be delivered if required and you will also be sent a sticker for you to attach to your bin. This needs to be placed underneath the handles so the crew can visually identify which bins to collect. There are no concessions for this service.

How do I know if I am eligible for this service?
If you've had the garden waste service before, you should be eligible to subscribe again. If you didn't qualify before, it may be because your property is too remote or not accessible by our collection vehicles. In such cases, a Refuse Manager will review the situation and inform you if the service isn't available.

How can I pay for this service?
You can pay for your subscription online in your My Account using a debit or credit card. There are no concessions.

What is My Account?
To access the Waste and Recycling services online you will need a council My Account. If you already have an account, please sign in as usual. If you need to create an account, all you need is an email address. You will be emailed a verification code that needs to be entered onto the screen, this will then enable you to complete the setup of your account.

What is auto renewal and how can I switch it off?
From 2025, online subscriptions will automatically renew each year. You'll get a reminder email every January before payment is taken, ensuring your garden waste service continues without interruption. If you would like to opt out of auto renewal, in your My Account, click on 'Your Waste and Recycling requests', then under 'Garden Waste Services' click on 'View subscriptions' and cancel your auto renewal here.

How do you know if I have paid my subscription?
Your subscription is automatically logged in our system. We use this to identify all subscribers of the service in combination with the garden waste bin stickers that are sent out after payment.

Do I get a discount if I need more than one bin?
There is no discount. You can subscribe for up to four bins at a property, however every bin will need its own subscription to be paid, and sticker attached to it for it to be collected.

Has the additional bin discount been removed?
Yes, due to additional service costs for disposal, this discount can no longer be applied.

Is this service included in my Council Tax?
No, it is not included in your Council Tax charge. However, we have tried to keep the charges as low as possible.

Will I pay less Council Tax if I subscribe to the garden wasteservice?
No, this service is not included in your Council Tax charge.

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. To cancel this service within the cancellation period please call 0191 520 5550. Lines are open between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. The council will normally reimburse the payment received within 14 days.

You can choose to keep the brown bin at your property, however it cannot be used for garden waste collections once the service has been cancelled. Alternatively, you can make a request to have your bin removed, which is free of charge by completing the online form.

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.

Can I share a garden waste bin with a neighbour if I don't have much waste?
Yes, the charge is per bin and there are no issues with this. You or your neighbour will need to decide who is to register for the service and then make the yearly payment.

I need help putting out my bins, can I apply for assisted collection?
If you already qualify for an Assisted Collection Service nothing changes in this regard. You will continue to receive help with bringing your bin to the kerbside and having it returned on your property if you subscribe.

If no one in your household is physically able to put the bin outside of your property, you may qualify for an assisted collection. This means our waste collectors will take the bin from its usual storage spot and return it after emptying.

Our assisted collection support can be long-term to meet persistent needs, or shorter-term to aid recovery. Householders qualify for an assisted collection service if:

No one in the household is physically able to put the bin outside of the property and collect it after emptying; or
They are the sole member of the household and are suffering from a short or long-term illness or can demonstrate that they are unable to present and collect their bin.

You can apply for an assisted collection in your My Account . If the application is approved the assisted collections will normally start within 14 working days.

What can I put 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 eggshells; tea bags or coffee grinds; large items of garden waste, for example tree trunks; thick branches, soil, rubble and bricks.

Can I put 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.

Will you collect additional garden waste it if it does not fit in the bin?
No, all waste must be presented inside your bin with the lid closed. We do not collect any side waste and if you cannot fit all your waste in your current bin please:

Compost what you can.
Purchase an additional subscription from us, where an additional bin will be provided.
Take the waste to one of the Household Waste and Recycling Centres at Pallion in Sunderland or Campground in Wrekenton. Please note you must make a booking to use these sites

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

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.

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 substantial fine can be imposed.

I am moving 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.

Will my collection day change, or will it stay the same?
On occasion your bin collection day may change and we will inform you.

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.

My bin sticker is damaged or lost, can I get another one?
Stickers can be replaced by contacting on 0191 520 5550.

My garden waste bin is stolen/lost/damaged, can I request another one?
Yes. Please request a replacement bin online or call 0191 520 5550.

Can I request a different size bin?
All brown garden waste bins are a standard size. You can subscribe for up to four bins at a property, however every bin will need its own subscription to be paid, and sticker attached to it for it to be collected.

How can I get rid of garden waste if I do not wish to subscribe to the service?
If you do not wish to subscribe to the service, you can dispose of garden waste by;

Composting - this is a great alternative as it 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 centre at Pallion in Sunderland or Campground at Wrekenton for free. Please note you must make a booking to use these sites

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