Garden Waste Scheme
Like many councils across Derbyshire and throughout the country are dealing with large increases in costs and reduced funding from central government to deliver services. This, alongside, increased demand for statutory services (ones we must legally provide) is putting further pressure on the council’s finances.
The funding from government and the share of council tax we receive does not cover all the costs. We are facing the most challenging financial position experienced in many years. Difficult decisions are having to be made to reduce or change the way services are delivered to make savings and to try to generate income.
Charging for the collection of garden waste is part of this. Councils do not currently have to collect garden waste unless they chose to do so. Over half of all UK councils now charge residents for garden waste collections.
Erewash residents will now only pay for the service if they opt-in to the scheme and it remains free for residents to dispose of garden waste at the household waste recycling centres or to compost at home.
Garden waste collections
A maximum of 20 collections will be made during the garden waste year which runs from 1 April to the 31 March of the following year. Collections will be every fortnight and will continue to take place on the same day as recycling collections. Collections will be suspended over the winter months.
Winter 2024-25
In Ilkeston and surrounding areas, the last collections will be during the week starting 11 November 2024. Collections will start again during the week of 17 February 2025 and will run to 31 March 2025.
In Long Eaton and surrounding areas, the last collections will be during the week starting 18 November 2024. Collections will start again during the week of 24 February 2025 and will run to 31 March 2025.
Brown bin sticker
Each subscribing household will receive a welcome letter and tamper-proof sticker for the subscription year to fix under the handle on the back of each brown bin. It can take 15 days to receive your sticker but it is generally quicker. The sticker shows the address the subscription is for. Each address is also listed on the crew’s electronic tablets which tell them which properties have signed up.
Terms and conditions for garden waste scheme
You can view our garden waste service terms and conditions for more information.
Extra garden waste bins
When you sign up you can select how many bins you would like to subscribe for. A reduced rate is available for additional garden waste subscriptions. You will receive a sticker to go on each bin (up to a maximum of 5 brown bins). If you require additional brown bins these can be purchased at the same time.
What to put in the brown bin
See our list of what you can and can’t put in your garden waste bin. All garden waste should put in the brown bin loose, not in bags or wrapped up.
Can brown bins be used for household recycling instead if a subscription for garden waste is not taken?
No, from the 1 April 2024 the brown bins will only be able to be used for garden waste if a subscription has been paid for.
Refunding payments for brown bins purchased but no longer used
We are unable to refund any payments made for the delivery and provision of brown bins.
What to do with brown bins no longer being used
We are asking residents to hold onto their brown bins and for these to be retained at the property. If a subscription is taken out later there will be a charge for providing a bin.
Using brown bins for recycling during the winter months
Following the introduction of charges for the collection of garden waste, brown bins can no longer be used for extra recycling over the winter months. This will prevent the mixing of waste which can happen when bins are used for different materials at different times.
If you regularly have extra recycling, an additional blue bin can be purchased, or extra recycling presented at the side of your blue bin in green bags or clear plastic bags. Green bags can be collected from the Town Halls or Victoria Park / West Park Leisure Centres.
Subscribing partway through the year
If you sign up partway through the year the annual charge will still apply.
Choosing not to sign up
The service is entirely optional. If you don't want to sign up, then you do not need to do anything. Garden waste can be deposited free of charge at the local household waste recycling centre or composted at home.
Keeping hold of your brown bin is important in case you change your mind and wish to join the scheme later.
What to do if you don’t have a brown bin
If you do not have a brown bin, you can purchase a bin when you sign up. You can only use the brown bins supplied by the council for garden waste. We will not empty any other type of containers or take loose garden waste.
Please be aware that there are properties with restricted access or some communal properties that may not be eligible for the service.
Sharing a subscription
We are not allowing subscriptions to be shared.
Swapping a small brown bin for a bigger bin
Properties who have a smaller brown bin (140 litre bin) will be able to request an exchange for a standard size brown bin (240 litre bin) at no charge.
Checking your garden waste collection day
You can check online for your collection day. Garden waste will be collected on the same day as your recycling collections.
Moving house
If you move house in the Borough, the subscription is not transferable to your new address. If you are moving out of the Borough, you will not be entitled to a refund.
Garden waste collected goes for composting
The garden waste from the brown bins is delivered to a waste transfer station in Ilkeston where Derbyshire County Council arrange for it to be loaded onto larger vehicles and taken to a composting site near Doncaster.
Here the garden waste is shredded and placed in large rows called ‘windrows’ in the open air. The material naturally breakdowns and is turned over regularly to add in air. It takes around 16 weeks for the compost to be made. The final stage removes any large or wrong items ensuring the material meets the British Standard for compost. The compost is then used as a nutrient rich soil improver in the horticultural industry.
Home composting
Composting is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms your kitchen and garden waste into a valuable and nutrient rich food for your garden. It's easy to make and use. We have advice on home composting and how to buy a discounted compost bin.
Fly-tipping
Fly-tipping garden waste is a criminal offence. Other councils who have introduced similar garden waste schemes have not reported a real increase in fly-tipping. Garden waste can be deposited free of charge at the local household waste recycling centre or composted at home.