Green Bin FAQsWhy is the Council introducing charges for
collecting my green bin?
Due to the reduction in government funding, the Council is no
longer able to afford to provide a kerbside green bin collection
service at no charge to households.
Don’t I already pay for this service through my Council Tax?
Although your Council Tax is collected locally it actually forms
part of a national taxation framework. This means that your tax
isn’t just calculated in relation to specific council services such
as waste collection or other community facilities and services.
South Staffordshire has the fourth lowest District Council Tax in
England and your Council Tax payment finances local council
services, not just waste collection.
Don’t the Council have to collect my green bin by law?
The Controlled Waste Regulations 2012 allows councils to charge
for the collection of garden waste. There are some services that
councils are required to provide by law and these are known as
mandatory services. There are other services that councils aren’t
required to provide by law but that they choose to provide. Green
bin collections are a discretionary service and councils can choose
to stop this service completely. However, we’re aware that this
would take away a well-used and long established service from
residents. While introducing a charge for garden waste collection
is not a popular thing to do, it does give households a choice and
residents only need to pay if they wish to use the service.
How much will it cost?
If you choose to subscribe to the service, there will be an
annual charge of £43.60 for the collection of garden waste from
each green bin that you use. Although you can sign up any time
during the year, the subscription charge for the district will end
on the same date the following year.
Do I have to pay the annual charge?
No, it is an opt-in scheme so you can choose for the Council not
to empty your green bin and you can dispose of your
garden waste in another way such as through home composting or
by taking it to your local Household Recycling Centre. Please note
that garden waste cannot be placed in your grey bins.
Can I pay by instalments?
No, residents must pay their annual subscription charge in one
go to receive the service. This is a standard charge and
concessions for groups, individuals and residents who receive
benefits are not available.
How many times a year will you collect my green bin?
Green bins will be emptied every two weeks all year round apart
from a four-week suspension at Christmas and New Year.
How many additional green bins am I allowed?
There will be no limit to the number of green bins and permits
you can purchase for your property. However, the charge will apply
to each green bin so you will need to pay an annual charge for each
bin per year. If you purchased an additional green bin in 2019, we
will be in touch with further information about your bin.
Can I share a green bin with my neighbour?
Yes, as long as it is put out for collection outside the
property of the householder who has subscribed to this service.
There must be only one billing address and customer name though. It
is up to you to make your own arrangements as to who will purchase
the permit.
I don’t want to subscribe to this service and would like you to
remove my green bin as I don’t need it anymore
We are asking residents to keep their green bins. This is
because the bin is relevant to the property and needs to be present
should there be a change of occupier who may wish to subscribe to
the service. Also, it is important that green bins remain at
properties should they be needed as part of kerbside waste and
recycling services in the future. No green bins will be removed
from any properties at this time.
How will the collection crew know I have subscribed?
Residents who have paid their green bin annual subscription
charge will be supplied with a special permit sticker for their
green bin. This needs to be visible and placed on the back of the
green bin, below the handles. The sticker will need to be replaced
every year following renewal of the annual subscription. Green bins
that are presented without a sticker will not be emptied.
What happens if I move house?
Residents who move house and remain within the district will be
able to transfer the service to their new property for no extra
charge. You should not take your green bin or permit with you and
we will provide you with a new permit for the green bin at your new
address. If you move out of the area, then the charge is
non-refundable.
Can I get a refund if I stop using the service?
No, there will be no refunds or part refunds offered to
residents who wish to stop using the service after they have paid
their subscription. As the service is subject to an annual renewal,
residents can opt-out at the next renewal date.
Won’t this lead to an increase in the amount of garden waste
fly-tipping in the district?
There is no evidence to suggest that introducing a charge for
garden waste increases fly-tipping and this is backed up by the
experiences of other local authorities who have introduced similar
charges. The Council will continue to monitor fly-tipping incidents
and we will be able to identify any trends that occur following the
introduction of the charge. We are working hard to stop those
responsible for fly-tipping and we will not hesitate to prosecute
anyone who fly-tips and take formal action through the courts when
we consider it necessary. Anyone who sees fly-tipping is encouraged
to report it using the Council’s website at www.sstaffs.gov.uk
Changes to your green bin garden waste collection service
What to do now...This does not affect your garden waste
collections at the moment and residents should continue to use
their green bin as they do now. The chargeable service will be
introduced in July 2020 and more information about how you can
opt-in and pay the subscription fee will be available in the coming
months on the Council website and in the Review Magazine.
www.sstaffs.gov.uk/waste
Collection Service
You can now sign up to receive regular waste and recycling
eAlerts and updates containing news and useful tips. Visit:
www.sstaffs.gov.uk/alerts
StayConnectedSouth Staffordshire Council
South Staffordshire Council is in the process of introducing an
annual charge for collecting garden waste. Due to be introduced in
July 2020, the green bin garden waste collection service will
become a subscription-only service and households in the district
will need to opt-in and pay the subscription fee if they want the
Council to collect their garden waste.
Councillor Len Bates BEM, Cabinet Member for Community Services
at South Staffordshire Council,
said, “Having reviewed our service carefully, we find that we
cannot continue to offer the garden waste collection service
without a fee. Not everyone uses this service and the reduction in
government funding and current financial pressures means we have
difficult choices to make about our services. We remain as the
fourth lowest Council tax for District Councils in England and
remain committed to keeping costs to a minimum. The proposed annual
fee of £43.60 is less than 85p per week with the service set to
commence from July 2020.
“Increasingly, councils are having to charge for this service
and the latest data shows that 58% of local authorities in the UK
now charge for garden waste collection. It’s not a statutory
service but we are committed to continue running it for those
residents who wish to use the service and pay for it which will
help protect and maintain front line services.”
