Garden Waste Permit FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in relation to Garden Waste Permits can be found below:
Why has the charge been introduced?
The collection of garden waste is not a statutory service, and with reducing budgets and increasing costs, the Council can no longer offer a free service.
Introducing a permit system for those who do wish to have a kerbside collection of garden waste will support and protect garden waste collections.
To retain a garden waste collection service, it is necessary to introduce a charge to contribute towards the cost of its provision. There is no obligation to make use of the chargeable service and residents can continue to dispose of garden waste free of charge at the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC).
Is the council allowed to charge for this service?
Yes. The Controlled Waste Regulations 1992 (Schedule 2) specify garden waste as a type of household waste for which a collection charge may be applied. In addition, garden waste is not one of the materials that local authorities are required to collect for recycling, as specified in the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012.
Do other councils charge for this service?
Yes. Including Glasgow, eighteen Scottish local authorities currently (at June 2024) apply charges for the collection of garden waste.
What is the charge?
The garden waste permit charge will cost £50 per brown bin. This will cover the period 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025.
What happens if I sign up for less than the full year?
Residents who buy a permit after the 1st October 2024 will have to pay the full £50 fee and will receive fewer collections. A reduced or pro-rota rate is not available for permits purchased after 1 October 2024.
The permit will expire on the 30th September 2025 regardless of when it is purchased.
What are the registration arrangements?
All properties who currently have the brown bin service will receive a letter informing them of the charges for garden permit covering period 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025. You can make your application using our online form. A MyGov account is required to apply online.
Updates and reminders will also feature on the Council's social media channels.
If you have a kerbside property and don't have a brown bin you can order one online (kerbside properties only). Once you have received your brown bin, you can apply for a permit.
How do I purchase a brown bin permit?
Participating householders are required to make a payment of £50. The permit will expire on the 30th September 2025. You can apply using our online form.
A permit can be purchased on behalf for another person online.
Payments must be made in full. There is no option to pay instalments and is consistent with existing arrangements for similar council charges.
When will I receive my permit?
Permits will be received within 21 days from purchase.
What if I cannot order a permit online?
Residents can contact the customer care centre, 0141 287 9700. The phone line is available every Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 until 16:00.
The quickest method to order the permit is via the online form.
What if I have more than one brown bin at my address?
A permit is required to be purchased for each brown used for garden waste. A separate application is needed via the online form for each individual brown bin.
Permits will expire on 30th September 2025.
Will this result in more fly tipping?
Councils who have already introduced this charge have found no evidence fly tipping of garden waste has increased. After one year of implementation of the charge in Glasgow, no significant increase of garden waste fly tipping has been observed.
The disposal of garden waste is the householder's responsibility. Residents can dispose of garden waste free of charge at any of our
Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC).
Are there any exemptions from paying the charge?
No concessions are possible. All residents are required to pay the charge, if they wish to participate in the service.
How will the council identify residents who have paid for brown bin collections?
Collection crews will only empty bins, containing garden waste, with a valid permit clearly displayed. Permits must be applied to the back of the brown bin under the handle. This allows collection crews to identify quickly which bins have a valid permit.
The permit will display your address, bespoke permit reference number, and expiry date of the permit.
Instructions on how to apply the permit to the bin will be provided with the letter which accompanies the permit.
What happens if residents don't purchase a permit and continue to place garden waste in their brown bin?
If a brown bin is presented to the kerbside containing garden waste, without a valid permit displayed, the bin won't be emptied. A hanger will be placed on the bin highlighting the non-collection. Residents can dispose of garden waste, free of charge, at any of the Council's operational Household Waste Recycling Centres.
What happens to my brown bin if I don't opt into the service?
Should you not wish to buy a permit for the garden waste collection service, you will still be required to keep your brown bin for food waste collections at the property. The brown bin belongs to the property and should not be removed.
Can I dispose of food waste in the brown bin if I don't have a permit?
Yes. Food waste can be put into the brown bin and will be collected every 2 weeks. Food waste only brown bins will continue to be collected without the need to buy a permit.
What are the terms and conditions?
You can view our full terms and conditions relating to this service online.
What happens if I move house?
Purchased permits relate to the property address and not the householder, so if you move house the permit will remain at your old address and cannot be transferred or refunded. If you have moved property, you can apply at your new address using our online form.
Will I be refunded for missed collections?
No. Refunds will not be given for missed collections. If a collection is missed due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., inclement weather, vehicle breakdown, industrial action or due to a genuine error), the collection will be completed as soon as possible. If the bin has been presented late or at the incorrect location, the householder will be required to wait until the next scheduled collection date before it is emptied.
What happens if my bin goes missing or needs replaced?
Missing bins can be reported on the request a bin form
To request a replacement bin, or a replacement permit please complete our Enquiry Form
Both will be provided free of charge.
Are large garden waste bins available?
No. Due to the weight which may be collected in a larger bin and the risks posed to collection crews when moving heavy bins, these are not provided. Standard sized wheeled bins are 240 litre capacity. Additional bins can be provided; however, an additional £50 permit will have to be purchased for each bin.
What can I recycle in my brown bin?
Garden waste including grass cuttings, leaves, bark, flowers/plants, hedge trimmings, weeds, twigs/small branches are all accepted materials in household brown bins. Food waste is also accepted within the brown bin. Further information on what can be recycled within each bin is provided on the Council website.
What can't be recycled in my brown bin?
Please don't dispose of pet waste, soil, turf, stones, plant pots, garden furniture, plastic bags, or any general waste in the brown bin. The presence of other waste, other than materials targeted for collection, as highlighted in question above, can negatively impact the quality of the compost produced at the re-processing site. Bins 'contaminated' (non-target material) with other waste will not be uplifted by collection crews. Additionally, please don't put any materials into your brown bin which are targeted for collection within one of your other recycling bins.
Can I dispose of food waste in the brown bin if I don't have a permit?
Yes, food waste can be put into the brown bin, and this will be collected from each household every 2 weeks.
If a resident only wishes for their food waste to be collected, they don't have to do anything. Food waste only brown bins will continue to be collected without the need to apply for a permit.
What happens if residents don't purchase a permit and continue to place garden waste in their brown bin?
Our collection crews will undertake checks to ensure there is no garden waste in the brown bin if presented to the kerbside for collection and no permit is attached. If garden waste is present within the bin and the resident hasn't paid for this service, the bin won't be emptied. Residents can still dispose of garden waste, free of charge, at any of the Council's Household Waste Recycling Centres.
What happens if I have a permit and my bin is missed?
You can report a missed bin using our online form.
What happens if my brown bin needs replaced?
If our vehicle or staff damage your bin, you can order a replacement via our online form. To tell us you need a new permit, please complete our enquiry form. Both will be provided free of charge.
What happens to my brown bin if I don't opt into the service?
Should you not wish to buy a permit for the garden waste collection service, you will still be required to retain your brown bin for food waste collections at the property. The brown bin belongs to your property and should not be removed.
What if I want to cancel my request for a permit?
As per the Terms and Conditions of service, you can cancel you application within 14 days of your request. After this period, cancellation and refunds are not permitted. If you want to cancel, and are within 14 days of your request, you can do this via the myGlasgow portal.
To do this, you will have to sign into your account,
- Select "myRequests"
- Select your "Garden Waste Permit Request".
- From your request, select "Continue",
- Where it says "Cancel". From there, you can cancel your request.
We will process your refund within 14 days of your cancellation.
Any permits in transit at the time of cancellation should be returned unused within 2 weeks of receipt, before a refund will be initiated. Permits should be returned to:
Glasgow City Council
Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability
Eastgate
727 London Road
Glasgow
G40 3AQ
What happens if my permit is lost or stolen
Please complete our online enquiry form, providing as much information as possible, and we will investigate this problem.
What happens if my permit was not delivered
It can take up to 21 days for your permit to be delivered. If you don't receive the permit within 21 days, please complete an online Enquiry Form and we will investigate and respond.
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