Garden waste

Garden waste collections

Garden waste collections take place weekly, between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027. The new subscription year is now open for renewals and new subscribers.

Our annual garden waste subscription provides convenient and eco-friendly waste disposal, saving time and effort, while supporting a cleaner environment and contributing to local sustainability initiatives.

Subscriptions cost £100.63 per year (less than £2 per week for 52 weekly collections of your 240L green waste bin).

You can pay as a one off payment or by four direct debit payments. 

New customers

• you can spread the cost across four Direct Debit instalments
• you can make a one-time payment for the full cost
• the last date to sign up to pay by direct debit is Friday 22 May

2025/26 customers

• Direct Debit customers' subscriptions will renew automatically. To cancel, contact your bank at least 10 working days before the next payment on 31 May
• Please note the Direct Debit instalment dates and amounts for 2026/2027:
  31 May: £25.63
  31 July: £25.00
  30 September: £25.00
  30 November: £25.00
  Total: £100.63
• if you made a one-time payment, you will need to pay again 

If you have a brown garden waste bin but are unsure if you have an active subscription, please email gardenwaste@lewisham.gov.uk.

If you don't have a valid subscription, your garden waste bin will be removed.

Please read the garden waste terms and conditions and service standards carefully.

When you sign up for a garden waste subscription, you will receive

• 240L bin - if you're a new customer, you'll receive a 240-litre brown bin within 10 working days - however, this can change if there's high demand
• permit sticker - new customers and existing customers will be issued a garden waste permit sticker which lets collection crews know that you have a current subscription – you must put the sticker on your garden waste bin
• instructions on how to fix the permit sticker to your garden waste bin
  

If you have a garden waste bin and a valid sticker permit is not displayed, we will remove it. If you are not displaying a 2026/2027 sticker because you did not receive one, please email us as soon as you can.

What can go in my garden waste bin?

• garden waste such as grass cuttings, weeds, small branches, and twigs - branches must be up to 10cm thick and 50cm long
• fallen fruit, flowers, hedge trimmings, leaves, plants, and weeds

Harmful weeds like Japanese knotweed are not accepted.

• find out what you cannot put in your garden waste bin

To ensure we can collect your garden waste

• a valid 2027/26 permit sticker should be displayed and in view of the kerb
• put your bin out by 6am on your collection day
• make sure the bin is at the edge of your property, free of obstacles
• don't overfill your bin - if you have extra waste, keep it until the next collection
• bins must not weigh over 20kg
• bins should be in good condition and their wheels and lid should work - order a replacement bin if needed

Download the Garden Waste Service standards.

For any issues with your bin please email gardenwaste@lewisham.gov.uk.

Points to consider

Renewing

You can renew your subscription from 1 April.

Cancelling

If you cancel within 14 days, you can get a refund. After that, the fee is non-refundable. To cancel, contact us at 020 8314 9756 (9am-4pm, Monday to Friday) or email gardenwaste@lewisham.gov.uk.

If you are on Direct Debit and do not wish to renew your subscription, please speak to your bank to cancel your direct debit as soon as possible. The first Direct Debit payment is scheduled to be collected on 31 May 2025.

Need an extra bin?

If you think you may need an additional bin, you'll need to subscribe for an additional collection.

Garden waste permit stickers

When you subscribe to the garden waste collection service, you will automatically receive a permit sticker for your garden waste bin. Please allow up to ten working days for the sticker to arrive via Royal Mail. 

The sticker will include instructions on how to correctly affix it to your garden waste bin. Do not attempt to remove or reapply the sticker once it has been attached, as doing so will void the sticker. If you accidentally void the sticker or place it on the wrong bin, please contact us on and we will arrange for a replacement.

If you do not receive your sticker within ten working days, please contact us. Stickers must be attached to the bin so the collection team can easily identify your subscription and ensure collection. Do not remove your old sticker until your new sticker arrives.

If you don't pay for the service

Presenting an old garden waste bin without the correct permit could lead to removal of your bin, or a fine of up to £300. 

If you don’t want to subscribe to a garden waste collection, you can:

• take it to the Landmann Way Reuse and Recycling Centre
• compost it yourself at home
• hire a private contractor (make sure they are licensed)