Renfrewshire Council

How to dispose of garden waste

If you would like the council to collect your garden waste, you need to apply for a garden waste permit.

A permit costs £40 per brown bin, and you can purchase additional brown bins and permits as required. You can apply for a garden waste permit online.

If you don't already have a garden waste permit, you must apply for one before 15 December 2023. After that date, you won't be able to apply for a new permit; you'll only be able to request a replacement permit until the end of the financial year.

Permits are only valid until 31 March 2024. You'll need to reapply for a new permit the following financial year.

You can also bring your garden waste to a local recycling centre for free in bags and empty them into the recycling container.

You could also use it for home composting or request a special uplift.

How to get your garden waste collected

You need a garden waste permit if you would like the council to collect your garden waste.

You can continue to use your brown bin for food waste; this isn't changing. But if you plan to add garden waste to your brown bin, we'll only collect it if there is a valid permit attached.

Please allow up to 10 working days for your permit to arrive once payment has been taken. If your bin collection day falls within that timeframe and your permit hasn't arrived, please note that we won't collect your brown bin if it contains garden waste.

Once you have received your permit, attach it to the front of your brown bin (opposite the side with the handles), and we'll then start collecting your garden waste.

Sharing a brown bin

If you share a brown bin with a neighbour, you can share the cost of a permit. You will need to arrange this between yourselves, with just one of you applying for the permit.

Moving house

If you move during the year within Renfrewshire, you can apply for a replacement sticker, on the apply for a garden waste permit form.

Exceptions and getting support

If you receive full (100%) or Severe Mental Impairment (SMI) council tax reduction, you can receive one free permit. But you still need to apply for the permit; you won't receive one automatically. You will need to pay for any additional permits you need.

If you can't access the online application form, get support by visiting your local library, phoning our customer service centre on 0300 300 0380 or emailing garden.waste@renfrewshire.gov.uk. Paper applications are available at libraries and Renfrewshire House in Paisley, but you should use the online form in the first instance, if possible.

If you do not have a brown bin, then there is no change to your collection service. If you are on a food caddy route, you can continue to present this as normal. You can bring any garden waste to our recycling centres for free. You can also make your own compost at home.

Your permit will be valid until 31 March 2024. You'll need to reapply for it the following financial year.

Read the Garden Permit Scheme's terms and conditions for more information.

What can go in your brown bin

If you have a permit, you can put the following types of garden waste in your brown bin:

• grass cuttings
• leaves and twigs
• small branches
• hedge clippings
• flowers
• plants.

What can't go in your brown bin

You can't put these types of garden waste in your brown bin:

• soil
• stones, gravel, or concrete
• timber or logs
• pet waste
• general rubbish.