Garden waste removal: what to do when the bin is full
After a big tidy-up, the garden waste bin fills up in minutes. Here are your options for getting rid of the rest, from free to fully done for you.
Council garden waste bins
Many councils run a garden waste collection, often as a paid yearly subscription. It suits regular grass cuttings and leaves, but bins fill quickly after hedge cutting or clearing an overgrown garden. Check your council's website for what they accept and the collection dates.
Composting at home
Grass cuttings, leaves and soft prunings make good compost. Woody branches, turf and large amounts of hedge cuttings take much longer to break down.
Taking it to the tip
Most household recycling centres accept garden waste. It works well if you have a car, a roof rack or a trailer, and do not mind a few trips.
When a collection makes sense
- Hedges cut right back, or branches from tree work
- Old turf after re-laying a lawn
- An old shed or fence panels you have taken down
- Broken garden furniture, pots and planters
- A neglected garden cleared before a sale or a let
We load it all from the garden, including through side passages. If the van has to park more than 15 metres from where the waste is, a carry charge of £24 applies.
What we cannot take
Japanese knotweed, which is controlled waste and needs a specialist, asbestos (including old shed roofs that may contain it), and chemicals or pesticides. Loose soil and rubble are very heavy, so tell us the amount before booking.
Tips before collection
- Bag leaves and small cuttings. Branches can stay loose.
- Pile everything in one place if you can.
- Tell us about steps or narrow side gates.
We collect garden waste across outer London and nearby towns, including Richmond, Bromley, Sutton, Reigate, Sevenoaks and Beaconsfield.