Garden waste collection service

Kingston Council offers a chargeable garden waste collection service for domestic properties across the borough that runs for 12 months and residents have the option of bins or rolls of biodegradable bags. The Council reserves the right to amend the acceptance criteria at any time.

Residents will be provided with fortnightly collections of garden waste for a 12 month period. Residents can subscribe at any time during the year.

Fees and payment

The price of the goods and/or services is as set out on the Council’s website. Service rates will be reviewed annually. The fee is non-refundable covering collection from the date payment is received.  

The payment for the service will be required in advance and can be paid by debit or credit card.

If you dispute the amount that has been deducted, you must inform the Council immediately and the Council will investigate.

Existing customers, who renew their subscription before the end of the 12 month period,  will continue to receive collections without a break in service.

Residents wishing to share a bin must register the bin to one property, from which the collection will be made, and make one payment. 

Containers

Residents can hire from the council for an annual fee, a grey body, green lidded 240L wheeled bin (1063mm height, 720mm width and 560mm depth) or purchase rolls of 10 single-use compostable sacks. 

Upon subscription, containers will be delivered to you within 20 working days after your application is processed.

We will only take garden waste contained in bins or bags issued by Kingston Council, where collection payments are up to date. Your subscription covers the emptying of your container once on your collection day.

The bin remains the property of the Council and we reserve the right to enter into or upon the premises to remove the container(s) in the event of withdrawal of the service.

We will repair or replace any bin that is damaged whilst being emptied or through fair wear and tear, except where damage is a result of prohibited waste being placed in the container by the resident.

Presenting waste

All garden waste must be presented at the boundary of the property by 6.30am on the day of collection.

If the bin/bag is not presented when the crew arrive for collection, they will not return until your next collection is due. No refunds will be issued in these circumstances.

Bins that are considered to be too heavy for safe handling and emptying will not be emptied. The bin will not be collected until the next collection is due and the weight of the bin is reduced. It is the responsibility of the resident to sort the contents of the bin and reduce weight. No refunds will be issued in these circumstances. 

If required, the householder may purchase additional bins or biodegradable bags.

Providing Services

The Council will make every effort to carry out the Services on the days and at the times notified to you (such information shall be contained on the Council’s website). However, there may be delays due to an event outside the Council’s control. 

Collection will take place once a fortnight on your scheduled day including bank holidays, the only exception to this is Christmas and New Year when your collections might take place later than usual. Changes to collection day will be communicated to residents. The Council reserves the right to alter collections if required, provided adequate notice is given to all householders using the service.

You should report any missed collection within two days of the day the collection was due, and we will return and collect within two working days.

Missed collections not reported within 48 hours will not be rectified.

The council reserves the right to vary the service by giving customers advance notice in writing.

Residents that already receive an assisted collection service for waste and recycling collections will be eligible for an assisted collection for their garden waste.

All collection vehicles utilised for the collection of garden waste are equipped with real time recording device and will be used to capture information for performance monitoring.

During cold weather the contents of your bin may become frozen within the bin, this makes it difficult to completely empty the bin. If the crew are unable to empty your bin because the contents are frozen, it will be left and not collected until your next scheduled collection day. 

Contamination

All garden waste material must be placed loose in the wheelie bin or biodegradable sacks. No plastic sacks of any kind may be placed in the containers. We only accept garden waste (i.e. plant material, hedge prunings, grass cuttings, weeds).

The following items are not acceptable and must not be placed in the containers - wood products, timber, rubble, soil, plastic, kitchen waste (including vegetable peelings), or animal bedding. Further information on what materials are acceptable is provided in the information pack. 

Contaminated bins will not be emptied. The bin will not be collected until the next collection is due and the contamination is removed. It is your responsibility to remove the contamination before the next scheduled collection. Frequent contamination may result in the cancellation of the service. No refunds will be issued in these circumstances.

If the contamination still continues, the Council may withdraw the service.

Moving Home

If you move to a property outside the Borough you MUST inform us and present the bin for removal. Your annual charge is not refundable.

Residents participating in the scheme may transfer the service to a new address within Kingston Council should they move property. You must notify the Council of the change of address before moving and take your bags/bins with you to your new address.

Cancellation and Refund

Before the Council begins to provide the chargeable garden waste service, you may cancel your application within 3 working days of making payment. In this case, the Council will refund the payment made for the garden waste service. However, the Council will not refund any money if the cancellation is not made within 3 working days of the payment being made.

Once you are receiving the chargeable garden waste service, you may cancel the contract for the service at any time. Please note you will not be refunded any of the amount paid at the time of your application.

Upon cancelling the subscriptions, the Council will collect the bins from the address provided on your application. If there is any damage, or if the container(s) are defaced, the Council reserves the right to charge you for repair/replacement of said container(s).

Force Majeure (event outside the Council’s Control)

Neither party shall be liable for any failure nor delay in performing their obligations where such failure or delay results from any cause beyond the reasonable control of that party. Such causes include, but are not limited to: power failure, Internet Service Provider failure, industrial action, civil unrest, fire, flood, storms, earthquakes, acts of terrorism, acts of war, governmental action or any other event that is beyond the control of the party in question.