Garden waste collections in most council areas are no longer free of charge anymore. And this is the case in Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding areas.
Previously it was only Staffordshire Moorlands which did not operate a subscription service for collections – but that has changed for 2026. In the city, residents wanting to have their garden rubbish cleared all year round must sign up to a winter subscription service.
It’s also the same for both Newcastle Borough Council and Stafford Borough Council, as well as Cheshire East who 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:
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
The city council runs a fortnightly collection service, providing 25 collections over a one-year period. Collections run from April 1 to March 31, with a two-week closure period over Christmas.
The annual subscription cost is once again £40 and must be paid by credit or debit card. Explaining the reason for the charge, the authority states: “Not everyone needs or uses the current garden waste collection service and making it a self-funding service enables us to provide the service for only those who want it.
“There is no legal obligation for councils to collect garden waste free of charge. Over 70 per cent of all local authorities in England now charge for garden waste collections as a non-essential, opt-in service.”
There is no reduction in cost even if you join the service later in the 12-month period and any additional bins will also be charged at £40. To subscribe click here.
Newcastle Borough Council
In Newcastle-under-Lyme it will cost £43.59 – unless existing users renewed their subscription before December 31 to pay last year’s price of £41.99 – for a single garden waste bin for the year. During 2025, fortnightly collections took place between February and December. There are no discounts for joining at a later date.
Residents can use the online garden waste subscription form to add another garden waste bin to their existing subscription – again charged at £43.59. The council has a replacement bin delivery charge of £32.70 if the original bin is lost or stolen.
To sign up for the annual service click here.
Staffordshire Moorlands
Garden waste collections are no longer free of charge in the Staffordshire Moorlands. Garden waste goes in the brown bin and collections take place fortnightly.
The scheme will cost £46. Residents who choose not to join the subscription service will be able to take their garden waste to the tips in Biddulph, Cheadle and Leek or take advantage of the subsidised home compost bin offer the Council will be providing before the changes are introduced in the spring.
For more information about bins and recycling click here.
Stafford Borough Council
This year’s charge for garden waste collections remains at £43.50 per brown bin. This charge will apply at whichever point residents sign up in the year.
The council states: “The garden waste collection will start on the next scheduled collection day (same as blue bin) following an initial five working day period to allow for checks and integration to take place.
“When your subscription has been successfully completed, we will send you a permit by post to attach to your brown bin. Should you not receive your permit in the next 10 days please email wastemanagement@staffordbc.gov.uk quoting your subscription reference number.”
Click here for more information.
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
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