Richmondshire chargeable garden waste policy 2023

(For homes previously served by Richmondshire District Council)

This year’s scheme runs from 20 February to 24 November, with a one off collection for Christmas trees and garden bins in January 2024, which must be pre-booked.

1. The charge for the garden waste collection service is £26.50 for the first bin and £18 for each additional bin. (Please note, there is no reduction for second and subsequent bins when subscribing multiple bins for flats or communal living areas). Payment is required in advance and is nonrefundable. If you subscribe to this service online or over the telephone you have a 14 day cooling off period whereby you can cancel free of charge minus any funds for services already provided.
2. Residents can join the scheme at any time during the subscription period. However the full annual cost will still apply to subscriptions made after 21st February 2023 and if you decide to cancel your subscription during the subscription period you will still be charged the full annual cost, you will not receive a partial refund.
3. Residents cannot subscribe after 31 October 2023.
4. Residents will receive a new licence sticker to apply to the bin. Residents are asked to remove the old licence sticker where applicable.
5. Payment is required for each bin presented for collection and each must display a valid licence.
6. The Council reserves the right to remove any bins from a property if payment is not received for the subsequent year.
7. If there is evidence of misuse of the service or the garden waste bin by the resident, the service may be cancelled.
8. The Council will empty the bin on a fortnightly basis providing a valid licence is displayed on each bin presented for collection.
9. Collections are made according to your allocated day, although this may change in exceptional circumstances.
10. The Council reserves the right to alter collections if required. During periods of severe weather the Council reserves the right to suspend collections. Notice of this will be posted on our social media feeds.
11. All garden waste must be contained within the bins or compostable bags provided. Waste not contained in a bin or compostable bag provided by the Council will not be collected. Additional bins can be supplied at a cost of £18 each per year. Compostable bags can be purchased for the collection of garden waste in addition to your bin (by subscribing households only) at a cost of £6.36 for 20 bags plus £3.18 postage.
12. The garden waste bins remain the property of the Council. The customer will be responsible for the cost of replacement (£33 per bin) for any loss to the Council’s bins other than that caused by the emptying process.
13. The bins will be supplied clean and in a useable condition. The registered person is responsible for the general condition and cleaning of the garden waste bin whilst in their possession.
14. Bins should be presented at the kerbside by 6.30am on the day of collection. If you are unsure of your collection day see our Bin Collection Day finder at richmondshire.gov.uk or northyorks.gov.uk.
15. Lids of the garden waste bins must be fully closed. The Council reserves the right not to empty bins when the lids are not fully closed as this may cause damage to the lids whilst being mechanically emptied.
16. The bin should be removed from the public highway (including associated pavements/footways/verges) as soon as possible after collection.
17. Should collections be missed due to circumstances beyond the Council’s control, every effort will be made to re-schedule the collection.
18. An assisted collection is available for residents who are physically unable to move the garden waste bin and where there is nobody living at the premises capable of moving the bin. If this service is already in place for your grey bin, green box, black box and blue/white bag, it will automatically be arranged for your Garden Waste bin. Apply for the assisted collection service. All bins must be left in an accessible location within the property boundary for the collection crew to empty and return the bin. You are still required to join the scheme and display a valid licence on your bin.
19. The Council reserves the right not to empty any bin that in its reasonable opinion poses a health and safety risk to the collection operatives or is overflowing or overweight. A notice will be placed on the bin identifying why it has not been emptied and it is your responsibility to remove item(s) prior to the next collection. If you fail to do so we may remove the bin.
20. Only garden waste may be placed loose in the garden waste bin. Garden waste includes grass cuttings, tree and hedge clippings, weeds and plants, leaves, twigs and bark, dead flowers and windfalls, but not large branches, turf, earth, soil, stones and gravel. Garden waste must not be placed in plastic bags in the garden waste bin, as this affects the composting process.
21. Contaminated bins - bins containing incorrect materials - will not be emptied. If the bin is contaminated it is your responsibility to remove the item(s) of contamination prior to the next collection. If the contamination continues, we may remove the bin.
22. The garden waste licence is only valid for the property for which it was originally purchased and is non- transferable. We cannot offer a refund if you move within or outside the district or to a property where you no longer require the garden waste collection service. However, you may leave your licence for the new occupants if there is any term remaining.

We will contact you by email if we have a valid email address, along with information being displayed on our website, social media and local media in advance to renew your subscription.