Bins and recycling

1. Definitions

The following definitions are used in these terms and conditions and for the Garden waste collection Service:

• Brown bin means a 140-litre or 240-litre Brown bin used for garden and food waste.
• Collection address means the residential address where the Customer presents their Brown bin with Sticker at the kerbside for collection by the Council.
• Collection day means the day the Customer presents their Brown bin outside their address for collection by the Council.
• Contamination means any items not defined as Garden waste or Food waste that are placed in the Brown bin for collection under this Service.
• Council means Renfrewshire Council.
• Customer means the person (applicant) eligible for the Garden waste collection Service and who has been provided with a Permit, whether the person has applied in person, or someone has applied on their behalf.
• Exemption means a Customer who doesn't pay for the Service in accordance with the requirements stated in Section 10 below.
• Food waste means Food waste items that can be put in a Brown bin for Garden waste or Food waste collection, as may be revised from time to time.
• Garden waste means Garden waste items that can be put in a Brown bin for Garden waste collection, as may be revised from time to time.
• Payment means the cost for the Permit as noted in Section 8 below.
• Permit means collectively both the confirmation notice and Sticker the Customer receives from the Council.
• Personal Data means the information the Council need to collect about the Customer to allow them to sign up to and receive the Service.
• Places of worship means development owned by a religious organisation used for worship and related religious, philanthropic, or social activities including rectories, manses, and accessory buildings. Typical uses include churches, chapels, mosques, temples, synagogues, parish halls, convents, and monasteries.
• Section means the Sections listed in these terms and conditions which are for ease of reference only.
• Service means the collection of Garden waste by the Council from a Brown bin(s) with a Sticker attached.
• Sticker means an adhesive label provided by the Council with a unique number and the Collection address on it that visibly displays confirmation of the Permit and is attached to the Customer's Brown bin(s).

2. Service description

The Service is available, subject to Section 3 eligibility, to a Customer with a domestic property registered for Council Tax where the Council already provides or will provide a Brown bin Service.

Separately, the Service is also open to Places of worship, as defined above, in Renfrewshire where the Council already provides or will provide a Brown bin Service.

Following the application process in Section 9 below, where eligible a Customer, will be issued a Permit and Sticker for the Collection address.

The Customer must attach the Sticker to their Brown bin, as evidence of a Permit.

Where there is a Sticker on the Brown bin and a valid Permit is in place, the Council will collect the Garden waste on the specified Collection day.

If the Sticker is removed, the Customer can request a replacement Permit using the online form. The unique number for the missing Sticker will be cancelled and cannot be used after a replacement Permit with a bin Sticker has been issued.

For operational reasons, the Council reserves the right to change or amend the Collection day. The Council will notify any Customer in writing where there is a permanent change to the Collection day, in advance of the change being made.

The Service will not be operational during the two-week festive period (December/January). The dates for this festive period will be advertised on the Council website.

Customers can find the dates for their bin collection on their calendar or by checking the online bin collection calendar.

3. Eligibility

The Service is available to Customers with domestic properties or Places of worship. The Service is not available to other persons, companies, or commercial businesses.

To qualify the Customer and their property must be on a pre-existing Council Brown bin collection route. This information is available on their collection calendar which can accessed on the Council website or by emailing garden.waste@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

In addition, properties that are not assigned to a fortnightly food and Garden waste route are not eligible for this Service. Those excluded from this Service are properties on a weekly food waste route, sack collection and those with bulk bins.

The Service is only provided to the Collection address specified on the Customer's application and Permit. The Sticker is not transferable from the Collection address.

Customers will need to apply for a free of charge replacement Permit if they move address in Renfrewshire to a property that is on a garden waste collection route, unless their new address has a Brown bin with a valid Permit for Garden waste collection from the previous occupant.

If you move to an address that is not on a Garden waste collection route you will not be issued with a replacement Permit.

4. Service period

The Service runs from 01 May 2026 to 30 April 2027.

Customers can make an application for the Service up until 13 December 2026.

There is no Payment discount, and the Cost is fixed irrespective of when the Customer applies for the Service.

Customers will need to re-apply from 1 March 2027 if they want to continue using the Service after 30 April 2027.

5. Brown bins and garden waste

Garden waste will only be collected from a Brown bin with Sticker.

Both Garden Waste and Food waste can be placed together in a Brown bin with a Sticker and do not need to sign up for Food waste collection.

The Customer remains responsible for the maintenance and cleanliness of their Brown bin(s).

The Customer remains responsible for the security of their Brown bin(s). If a Brown bin is stolen or damaged, the Customer can request a replacement bin and free of charge replacement Permit by contacting Customer Services at 0300 300 0380. A charge may apply for a replacement bin.

Customers can also use the Council's Household Waste Recycling Centres to dispose of their domestic Garden waste free of charge.

6. Collection

The Customer must place their Brown bin with Sticker at the Collection address by 7am on the Collection day. If the Brown bin with Sticker at the Collection address is not presented by this time, the Council will not return to collect it until the next scheduled Service Collection day.

The Customer is responsible for positioning the Brown bin with Sticker at the Collection address, so it doesn't cause nuisance or obstruction to other pavement users on Collection day.

Garden waste or any other waste left on top, beside or near the any Brown bin will not be collected as part of this Service. Additional Brown bins and Permits can be purchased if required.

7. Contamination

Only Garden waste or Food waste must be placed in the Brown bin.

The Council will not empty a Brown bin eligible for this Service if it:

• contains materials other than Food waste or items not included in the Garden waste collection Service
• is overfilled or is judged by Council staff on Collection day as too heavy to empty
• cannot be accessed due to bad weather, roadworks, and reasons outside the Council's control.

If there is repeated Contamination in Brown bins used for this Service, the Council reserves the right to withdraw the Service from the Collection address. The Customer will be notified of this decision in writing.

The Customer is not eligible for a refund of the Payment where the Service is withdrawn for reason of Contamination.

8. Cost

The Payment for the Service Period for each Brown bin is £52 unless certain Exemptions apply as noted in Section 10 below.  

Eligible Customers can also sign up to Pay for the Service for additional Brown bin(s). Customers will need to apply for an additional Permit for each additional Brown bin. A Sticker will require to be attached to each additional Brown bin accepted for the Service.

If the Customer is exempt from Payment, they are entitled to one Permit free of charge. Additional Permits will be chargeable as noted above.

9. Application and payment

Applications for the Service can be made online, by phone on 0300 300 0380 or by paper application form available at Renfrewshire House.

If you need help with applying for this Service, assistance can be given by calling 0300 300 0380. Internet access for online applications is available free of charge at local libraries.

Payment must be made at time of online and telephone applications and therefore can only be made by debit card or credit card.  For posted applications, please attach a cheque made payable to Renfrewshire Council. For cash payments, you will need to visit Renfrewshire House in-person.

10. Exemptions from payment

There are certain Exemptions which mean some applicants do not have to pay for the initial Brown bin Permit provided for the Service.

The Exemptions are when the Collection address:

• qualifies for a full (100%) Council Tax Reduction at the time they apply for the Service
• is registered for a Council Tax discount or Exemption at the time they apply because someone at the Collection address has been classed as severely mentally impaired.

Collection addresses where the applicant would be exempt from Payment still need to apply for a Permit for the Service. Collection addresses that subsequently qualify for Exemption from Payment after making Payment for the Permit during the Service Period will not be eligible for a refund.

11. Cancellations and refunds

There is a 14-day cancellation period for the Contract which starts on the day after purchase of the Service. If cancellation is made during this time frame, a full refund will be provided. Thereafter, it can be cancelled at any time, but no refunds or part refunds will be given.

To exercise the right to cancel, Customers must inform the Council of your decision to cancel the contract by clear statement in writing. Please send your email addressed to garden.waste@renfrewshire.gov.uk or by post to Garden Waste Permits, Customer Service Centre, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN.

Should the Permit have been issued prior to the cancellation notice being received, it will be cancelled, and the Customer will be responsible for its disposal.

The Council will not give refunds or reduction in the Payment for the Customer failing to present the Brown bin with Sticker on the relevant Collection day.

The Council will not collect Garden waste from Brown bins displaying a Sticker where the Service has been cancelled or where the Service has been withdrawn by the Council due to repeat Contamination.

The Council will continue to collect Food waste from any Collection address with a Brown bin either after cancellation of the Service or suspension of the Service. However, the Council will not collect mixed Food waste and Garden waste without a live and valid Permit in place.

No refund will be available for any Collection day missed while the Service has been withdrawn, regardless of cause for removal of Service.

12. Data protection

To deliver this Service, we need to collect Customers' Personal data including the:

• Customer's name
• Collection address
• billing address
• Council tax reference number for the Collection address
• email address
• telephone number
• Payment details.

We use this data for:

• Customers to pay for the Service
• provide Customers with the Service
• manage and administer the Service
• contact Customers about changes to the Service
• contact Customers when their Service is to expire and to offer a renewal
• improve the design and performance of the Service
• investigate complaints
• manage the finances of the Service
• recover money Customers may owe us.

The Council's privacy policy sets what information we collect, how we collect it, what we do with it, who we share it with and why.

13. Complaints

We are committed to providing high quality services. If something goes wrong or you are not happy with the Service, please tell us. 

Complete our online enquiry form or call us on 0300 300 0300.

Full details of our complaints procedure can be found at the above link.

14. Law and jurisdiction

The Council Garden Waste Collection Service including the Permit and these Terms and Conditions will be governed by the Law of Scotland and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish Courts.

15. Changes to terms and conditions

The Council reserves the right to make amendments to these terms and conditions during the Service Period.

Any changes to the terms and conditions will be communicated by the Council to Customers on the Council website.

These terms and conditions apply to the Renfrewshire Council garden waste collection service, provision of the Permit and online or telephone application processes which together form a contract between the Customer and the Council.

By applying for this Garden waste collection Service, you accept these terms and conditions including any Payment charges.

If you are a Renfrewshire resident, you can recycle and dispose of a range of household waste materials at our recycling centres.

Unlike our other recycling centres, Linwood household waste recycling centre allows larger vehicles, such as vans, pickups and trailers. However, you'll need to apply for a permit if you plan to visit with one of these vehicles.

You do not need a permit if you are bringing a car to any of our recycling centres.

Our recycling centres are for household waste only. You cannot bring any waste that comes from a commercial or business activity. See more information on commercial waste services.

Which vehicles can get a permit

You can get a permit to enter Linwood household waste recycling centre for these types of vehicles:

• vans weighing up to 3.5 tonnes with a maximum of four wheels
• pickups
• a car, van or pickup with single axle trailer less than 1.8m long x 1.2m wide
• mini buses with 8 to 11 seats.

Which vehicles cannot get a permit

You cannot get a vehicle permit to enter Linwood household waste recycling centre for the types of vehicles:

• vehicles with more than four wheels
• vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes
• vehicles with a trailer more than 1.8m long x 1.2m wide
• vehicles with twin axle trailers
• vehicles with any commercial waste
• tipper vehicles.

Apply online for a vehicle permit

The permit must be in the name and address of the driver of the vehicle.

If you're acting on behalf of a friend or relative and they cannot come to the recycling centre with you, you should apply for a permit in your name.

We'll email you a permit confirmation once you've completed the online form.

Permits are valid for 1 day only and for a maximum of 3 visits on that day. You'll need to apply for a new permit if you're visiting on a different day.

If you're paying someone to take your rubbish away, it becomes commercial waste. They'll need to pay to have the waste disposed of through a licenced waste contractor. They cannot bring your waste to the household waste recycling centre.

When you arrive at Linwood household waste recycling centre you'll need to provide:

• a paper or electronic copy of your permit
• proof that you're a Renfrewshire resident, such as a council tax or utility bill
• photo identification, such as your driving licence.

If you do not have these, you won't be able to enter the recycling centre.

See what items you can and cannot bring to our household waste recycling centres.

What you can bring to our recycling centres

You can recycle and dispose of a range of waste materials at our household waste recycling centres across Renfrewshire.

You can bring the following items to our household waste recycling centres:

• bagged household waste
• batteries
• bricks (not available at our Renfrew centre)
• carpets (dispose of these in the skips for non-recyclable waste, not in the recycling compactors)
• clothes
• computers
• DIY waste (there are limits on the type and amount of DIY waste you can bring)
• fluorescent tubes
• garden waste
• mattresses
• paint
• scrap metal
• small amounts of rubble (not available at our Johnstone and Renfrew centres)
• indoor and outdoor electrical appliances (find out how to recycle your small electrical devices at WEEE banks)
• textiles
• TVs
• vapes (put these in the dedicated vape containers at each centre to ensure they're stored and disposed of safely)
• white goods (such as fridges, freezers, washing machines and dishwashers)
• wood (not available at our Johnstone centre).

If you want to dispose of upholstered seating, such as chairs or sofas, you can only bring the items to our Linwood household waste recycling centre. You cannot bring upholstered seating to any of our other recycling centres.

You cannot remove any items from our recycling centres.

Read more about disposing of upholstered seating below.

What you cannot bring to our recycling centres

You cannot bring the following items to our household waste recycling centres:

• clinical waste (including COVID-19 or infectious waste and medicines)
• commercial waste
• Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed
• non-household chemicals (for example, petrol)
• plasterboard
• tyres.

You cannot bring any waste that comes from a commercial or business activity. See more information on commercial waste services.

Guidance on specific items

Here are some guidelines for waste items that have to be disposed of in a specific way:

Asbestos

Asbestos cannot be re-used or recycled under any circumstances.

You can dispose of your asbestos at Paisley household waste recycling centre.

You should hire a specialist asbestos removal contractor to handle and dispose of large quantities of asbestos.

Batteries

You should not dispose of batteries in your general waste bin or recycling bins. This can cause fires or explosions at waste facilities, which could endanger waste collection crews and site staff.

You should recycle any batteries at our household waste recycling centres, including:

• single-cell household batteries (such as AA or AAA)
• car batteries
• household goods containing batteries, such as toothbrushes, toys, phones, and computers.

Many retailers that sell batteries also have collection points where you can drop off batteries.

Fire extinguishers

We cannot take fire extinguishers at any of our household waste recycling centres. This is because they are hazardous waste.

Instead, you can hire a private waste contractor to remove your fire extinguishers or other types of hazardous waste.

See a list of registered waste carriers and brokers (SEPA website).

Engine oil

You can recycle engine oil at our household waste recycling centres. 

Make sure your used engine oil is stored in a sealed container. You should not mix engine oil with any other substance, as this makes it difficult to recycle.

Plasterboard

We cannot take plasterboard at any of our household waste recycling centres. This is because of the toxic fumes plasterboard gives off when breaking down.

Instead, you can hire a private waste contractor to remove your plasterboard waste.

See a list of registered waste carriers and brokers (SEPA website).

Rubble

You cannot bring small amounts of rubble to our household waste recycling centres in Johnstone or Renfrew.

Please take this to one of our other household waste recycling centres in Renfrewshire.

Small electrical appliances

You can take damaged or broken appliances to our small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling bins at any of our household waste recycling centres.

We are working with the Salvation Army and our electrical compliance scheme partner REPIC to bring unwanted small electrical appliances back into use.

You can bring small electrical appliances which are still in working order to our reuse hub at Paisley household waste recycling centre.

Small electrical appliances you can bring to our reuse hub include:

• kettles
• toasters
• hair dryers
• electrical children's toys
• vacuum cleaners.

Dedicated cages are available at the centre for you to place appliances in.

The Salvation Army will collect appliances from the Paisley recycling centre twice weekly. They will test all appliances at their Renfrew donation centre and those in working and re-sellable condition will then be available to buy in the Salvation Army shop.

Our household waste recycling centre attendants can help if you are unsure if you can return a small electrical appliance for reuse.

Syringes (needles)

You should not put syringes in your bins or take them to our household waste recycling centres.

Instead, you can return used hypodermic needles to your doctor's surgery or health centre for safe disposal.

If you've found a discarded syringe in an open area, or anywhere that's a danger to the public in Renfrewshire, use our online form to report the discarded syringe right away.

Vapes (e-cigarettes)

Do not put vapes or e-cigarettes in any of your household bins.

These items contain batteries that can cause fires or explosions if damaged or compacted during collection or processing. This is a serious risk to waste collection crews, site staff, and facilities.

If you need to dispose of a vape, take it to one of our household waste recycling centres, where there are dedicated containers to ensure they're stored and disposed of safely.

Do not put vapes in our:

• general waste compactors
• open skips at recycling centres.

By disposing of vapes correctly, you're helping to protect staff, facilities, and the wider environment.

Upholstered furniture

If you want to dispose of upholstered seating, you can only bring the items to our Linwood household waste recycling centre. You cannot bring upholstered seating to any of our other recycling centres.

You can bring the following upholstered items to Linwood household waste recycling centre:

• armchairs
• electrical recliner chairs
• futons, bean bags, sofa cushions and floor cushions
• home office chairs
• kitchen and dining room chairs
• sofa beds
• sofas
• stools and foot stools.

Once you arrive at Linwood household waste recycling centre, place your items in the specific bin for upholstered seating. Ask our onsite staff if you are not sure where to go.

Many upholstered seating items are coated with a flame retardant containing persistent organic pollutants (or POPs). By keeping upholstered seating separate from other waste items, we can avoid contamination in the recycling process.

If your items are undamaged, in good condition and still have their fire safety labels, consider donating them to your local charity shop instead.

Wood

You cannot bring pieces of wood to our Johnstone household waste recycling centre.

Please take these to one of our other household waste recycling centres in Renfrewshire.

If you're unsure whether you can bring a certain item to one of our recycling centres, get in touch:

• phone 0300 300 0300
• email mybins@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

You can order additional or replacement bins and rubbish sacks if you live in Renfrewshire and we collect your waste.

Find out what to do if your bin was damaged or stolen.