Prices have risen in most parts of the county
A Cheshire West and Chester Council garden bin(Image: Cheshire Live)
Garden waste collections in most council areas are no longer free of charge. And this is the case for the four local authority areas in Cheshire.
Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington councils all provide a subscription service ranging from £43.50 up to £69. Cheshire East Council introduced charges for the first time in 2024.
To see how much garden waste collections cost where you live – and how to apply for a service during 2026 – see below:
Cheshire East Council
This year the subscription charge is £69 per garden bin per year – up £10 compared to last year – with a 25 per cent reduction in the fee available to those receiving qualifying benefits.
Residents who are already signed up to the council’s Garden Waste Recycling Scheme will need to renew their subscription if they wish to continue receiving collections.
Councillor David Jefferay, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, said: “Last year, more than 100,000 residents subscribed to our garden waste recycling scheme – an increase on the first year of the service. I’d like to thank everyone who has already signed up and continues to support this initiative.
“The rise in this year’s subscription fee reflects the significant financial pressures facing the council. Our current forecast indicates a potential budget shortfall of £33m for 2026/27. By generating income through this non-statutory service, we can maintain its delivery and continue to provide services that we know residents care deeply about, including those that are a legal duty and a lifeline to many, like social care.”
To join the garden waste recycling scheme or to renew your current subscription visit: Garden bin subscription
Cheshire West and Chester
Residents can subscribe to have their Garden Waste collected now, with collections due to restart on March 9. The service operates on an opt-in basis and will cost £55 per bin per calendar year for 2026 – up £2.50.
Residents can subscribe for as many bins as they need, but each will be subject to the £55 charge. Residents in receipt of full council tax reduction can get £10 knocked off the cost of one garden waste bin.
The service is offered fortnightly over 40 weeks of the year with a 12-week suspension outside of growing season over the winter months.
To subscribe to the service click here.
Halton Borough Council
The council’s annual garden waste collection service runs from June 1, 2025 until the end of May this year so is already in full swing.
The cost of the service for the 2025/26 subscription year is £50 per bin – up by £7. Payments can currently be made on-line at Waste Collection Service Search & Garden Waste Subscriptions or by calling 0303 333 4300.
If paying over the telephone the advisor will offer you the option to either pay by a link which will be emailed or text to your mobile phone or you can be transferred to a telephone service so that you can enter the payment card details using your telephone keypad. You can also pay at one of the Council’s one-stop shops using a debit or credit card.
Any additional bins incur the same fee.
Warrington
This year’s green bin collection service for grass, flowers, plants, leaves, clippings, cuttings, weeds and other garden waste will cost £43.50 if you subscribe online. If you sign up on the phone or in person the cost is £47.50. These prices are the same as last year.
Bins are emptied every two weeks. Collections will run from March 3 to December 4.
The council states: “The money we receive from central government has reduced year on year and has affected the services we can provide. There is now not enough money to support a free garden waste collection and instead of shutting the service down we still offer it for a small fee.”
Click here for more information on how to subscribe.
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