Garden Waste Bin/Bag - Green

Garden waste is things like weeds, grass cuttings, leaves and garden prunings which can composted.

What CAN go in your Green Bin/Bag?

• Grass & hedge cuttings
• Leaves, plants & weeds
• Untreated wood & branches up to 100mm in diameter
• Turf & soil in small amounts

What CAN'T go in your Green Bin/Bag?

• Kitchen waste (this should be composted or put in your grey bin)
• Treated wood
• Rubble and gravel
• Old garden furniture
• Pet bedding or litter

Please put your garden waste directly into the container and not in plastic bags

Proposed Green Bin Charges Scrapped

The proposed annual charge for garden waste collections was scrapped at a meeting of Reading Borough Council's Cabinet on Monday 11 July 2011.

Earlier this year it was announced that an annual charge for garden waste collections would be introduced of £22.50 for a green bin and £7.50 for a green bag for households who wished to have their garden waste collected from their doorsteps.

Now the proposed charges have been scrapped, all Reading householders who wish to continue with the free garden waste collection, including those who contacted us previously to cancel their collection, are now asked to continue putting out their green bins and bags out for collection as before. The Council also welcomes new users who may not have considered the green waste service before.

Letters advising residents about the decision to abandon the annual charge will be delivered to residents who have a green bin or bag will be delivered shortly. A copy of the letter can be viewed by clicking on the pdf document below.

For the small number of Reading residents who have already paid the proposed charge, they will be fully reimbursed as quickly as possible.

To check when your garden waste is next due for collection, please click on the 'Rubbish and Recycling' link on the left hand side of this page.

How to order a Green Bin/Bag

Residents who wish to opt into the garden waste collection service need to order a green garden waste container. The containers cost £32.50 for a bin or £10 for a 90 litre waste bag. This is to buy and deliver the container. To order your bin or bag please use our on-line order form or phone the contact number listed on the right hand side of the page.

You can find out which day your garden waste will be collected by clicking on the home button to return to the Reading Borough Council home page and entering your house number and postcode into the ’Your Reading’ section.

Please note:

• The garden waste collection stops the Friday before Christmas, and resumes 4 weeks later.
• If after you’ve bought a green garden waste bin or box, you later move house within Reading and take the container with you, don’t forget to let us know, so that we can reschedule your collection.
• If there is waste in your garden waste bin/bag that isn't meant to be there, the refuse collectors will not empty your container. Residents should remove any items that shouldn't be there and present their container for collection on the next scheduled collection day. If you persist in putting the wrong materials in your containers, we will send you an Official Warning and may take further enforcement action, including fixed penalties (£100) and possibly prosecution.

Composting

Consider buying a composter to dispose of your garden and/or kitchen food waste. Reading Borough Council and re3 waste partnership have teamed up with Evengreener.com to offer Reading a fantastic range of low cost compost bins and other accessories. For more information please visit the Get Composting link below or telephone 0844 5714444.

Green Cone

Consider buying a Green Cone to dispose of all your organic kitchen waste including meat, fish, bones, dairy products, fruit and vegetables. Green Cones are available to Reading residents at a discounted rate. Visit the Great Green Systems website below for more information or to order one.

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