Garden waste permits

We are not legally required to collect garden waste. One garden waste bin per household will be emptied for free from 1 September 2024. The charge on additional garden waste bins is one of several measures introduced to help bridge a funding gap as the result of reduced funding, rising demand and growing cost pressures. 

No, you will only pay if you sign up for the service. One garden waste bin per household will be emptied for free from 1 September 2024

No. One garden waste bin per household will be emptied for free from 1 September 2024. You will not need a permit for this bin.

We do not offer any discounts. 

If you need help to apply for your permit you can ask a friend, family member or support worker to apply on your behalf. All applications need to be completed online, including payment. Cash and cheques will not be accepted. 

If you require dedicated support from us to apply, you can phone our Customer Contact Centre on 03000 200 292 and we can provide guidance over the telephone or set up a telephone appointment with you if additional assistance is required. We also have some guidance on how to log on or register for our online services, including how to complete our online forms available. You can also visit the service centre at Marischal College where staff will be available to assist you make a payment at the kiosk.

If you move home, your permit(s) should remain at the property. You cannot take it with you, and you will not receive a refund.

If you move to another property that has an existing permit, you can continue to use it until it expires. You will then have to re-apply and pay to continue using the service.

No refunds will be issued.  

You can have a maximum of three brown bins for garden waste, with permits needed for each bin above your first allocated bin.

If you require an extra bin for an additional permit, there is a one-off administration charge of £36.10.

To find out if you are eligible, please use the online calendar. Enter your postcode into the search box and choose your property from the dropdown list. If the results show collection dates for a brown bin you are eligible for a food waste service and for garden waste if you pay for a permit.    

Please contact us if the search does not show dates for a brown bin and you have a garden and think you should be eligible.  

Households not eligible for a brown bin should have access to a nearby communal food waste bin. 

You can request a replacement or additional brown bin on our website.

If you require an extra bin for an additional permit, there is a one-off administration charge of £36.10.

Households not eligible for a brown bin should have access to a nearby communal food waste bin.

Yes. Households that currently share bins for their garden waste (e.g. flatted properties) can continue to do this. It can be helpful for our teams if you note the house numbers on the bins so we can identify that each household is using no more than one bin without a permit. If you wish to share more bins than there are households, you will need to buy additional permits. These can also be shared.
 

If you are part of the garden maintenance scheme then your garden waste permit is included and no additional payment is required.

No. If you feel your street needs cleaning you can report this online:

There is no plan to offer free or subsidised composting units, however, we can provide advice and guidance on how to compost at home.

No. The Council does not run the composting facility and the compost produced does not belong to us.