Garden waste
Residents who wish to have garden waste collected by the Council between the period of 31 March 2025 until 30 November 2025 must purchase and display a permit.
Purchase your annual Garden Waste Permit for fortnightly brown bin collections between 31 March and 30 November 2025.
Key Service Details
This is an opt-in service. Everyone living in West Dunbartonshire, whether a homeowner or tenant, will be required to pay if they want their garden waste collected.
- Service Period: Collections run from 31 March 2025 until 30 November 2025.
- Cost: A permit costs £60 per brown bin.
- Collection Frequency: Fortnightly uplifts during the service period.
- Multiple Bins: A separate £60 permit is required for each brown bin you wish to use for garden waste.
- Permit Delivery: Permits can take up to 21 days to arrive after ordering. If your permit has not arrived after 21 days, please email wasteaware@west-dunbarton.gov.uk.
Using Your Brown Bin (Food Waste vs. Garden Waste)
Your brown bin is for both food and garden waste, but the permit only applies to garden waste.
| Bin Use | Service Requirement |
|---|---|
| Garden Waste Collection | Requires a £60 permit. If garden waste is placed in the bin, a permit must be displayed or the bin will not be collected. |
| Food Waste Collection Only | No permit is required. Food waste collection is a statutory service and continues to be collected on your designated day all year round. |
| Contamination | If waste is found in your brown bin, other than food or garden waste, it will be classed as contaminated and will not be collected. |
Find out what you should be using your brown bin for on the what goes in my brown bin page.
General and Administrative Information
Permit Rules
- Exemptions: There are no exemptions to the garden waste permit charge.
- Moving Home: A permit stays with the house - it cannot move with you. If you move within West Dunbartonshire, you will need to check if a new permit is required for your new home.
- Lost/Damaged Permit: The permits are made from a hard-wearing material and display the house address. If your permit is damaged or lost, you can request a replacement by emailing wasteaware@west-dunbarton.gov.uk (include your address and permit number, if known).
Brown Bins and Assisted Collections
- Assisted Collection: If you currently receive an assisted collection, you must still purchase a permit if you want garden waste collected. You can continue to have an assisted collection for food waste only without a permit.
- New Brown Bin: You can request a new brown bin online through the request a bin form.
- Flatted Properties: Every brown bin used for garden waste must have a permit. Neighbours sharing a bin only require one permit, but must make a private agreement for payment. The Council will not be involved in payment arrangements.
Alternative Disposal
- General Waste Bin: Please do not put garden waste in your general waste bin. The general waste bin is for non-recyclable waste only and if recyclable waste is disposed of in this bin, it will not be collected.
- Composting: Home composting is the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of your garden waste. The Council can supply compost bins for free by emailing wasteaware@west-dunbarton.gov.uk. More information is available at Zero Waste Scotland.
- Collections Not All Year: Collections are restricted due to cost-effectiveness and contracts with waste facilities. From November to March, all brown bin waste is processed as food waste only.
If you have any long-standing issues or require advice, please email wasteaware@west-dunbarton.gov.uk.