Garden waste collection service

We offer a fortnightly garden waste collection service.

£65 per year for a large brown bin (240 litres)
£49 per year for a small brown bin (180 litres)
You can pay for more than one bin

Important: No refunds are given if the service is cancelled partway through the year.

You will get your brown bin about a week before your first collection
Your first collection will be 3 to 5 weeks after signing up
If your bin does not arrive, contact us before your first collection

Collections may change if:

There is a bank holiday
It is Christmas and New Year (no collections for 2 weeks)
There is severe weather

No refunds are given in these cases.

When to put your bin out

Put your bin out after 6pm the evening before collection
Or before 6am on the day of collection
Bring it back in by 9am the next day

Check your bin collection day

What to check before collection

Your bin will not be collected if:

the lid is not closed
the bin is overflowing
it contains the wrong items - check what can do in yor garden waste bin

Replace a garden waste bin

If your bin is:

damaged
missing
stolen

Request a replacement free of charge

Paying for your garden waste service (in year 2 and beyond)

How billing works

You will get a bill once a year
You must pay on time to keep your service

If you don’t pay:

we will assume you no longer want the service
your bin will be removed
you will need to sign up again

If you have a bin but no bill, contact us to check your account.

Ways to pay

Direct Debit

Must be set up before your bill is sent
Payments are taken on the 1st of the month when due

Set up a direct debit

Pay online

Use your invoice to pay online

Pay by phone

Call 0800 021 7784 (24 hours a day)

Other ways to pay

Post Office
PayPoint outlet

Change your bin size

You can only do this at your annual renewal
Tell us before you pay your bill

Change the size of your garden waste bin

What to do if you're moving house

Moving within Norwich

Take your bin with you
Tell us your new address

Moving out of Norwich

Transfer the service to someone else at your property
Or ask us to remove the bin

No refunds are given if you no longer need the service.

Tell us you need to make a change to your garden waste service

Renewing your garden waste service

You must pay each year before the deadline
If your service ends, you will need to sign up again

Terms and conditions - summary (November 2025)

This summary is for guidance.

For full details, download the legal version.

1. Application

These terms apply to the Garden Waste Collection Service provided by Norwich City Council. By subscribing, you agree to these terms.
We may make minor changes to reflect legal or business requirements and will publish updates on our website. Major changes will need your agreement and will start from your renewal date.

2. The Service

The service runs on an annual subscription basis for 12 months from the date you sign up (your start date) and renews automatically each year unless you cancel at least 6 weeks before renewal.
Current charges: £65 for a 240-litre bin, £49 for a 180-litre bin.
You can have more than one bin, each with its own subscription.
Delivery and first collection may take 3–5 weeks after payment. You may receive a clean, previously used bin.
If you don’t receive your bin within 7 days of your first scheduled collection, contact us. No refunds if you don’t report this.
Bins must be clearly marked with your house number or name. Missed collections due to unmarked bins will not be refunded.
Bin size changes can only be requested at renewal or up to 2 weeks before renewal. If you need a different size sooner, you must start a new subscription.
The bin remains council property. Lost or damaged bins may be charged.
If you share a bin with a neighbour, it must be marked with the paying household’s details and placed outside that property.

3. Payment

Direct Debit: Existing customers can pay by Direct Debit before renewal. No discounts apply. If payment fails, the service may be cancelled.
Invoice: Pay by the due date to avoid cancellation. Late payments may delay service.
Use the correct invoice number when paying. Incorrect references may cause delays.
If your subscription is unpaid, your bin will not be emptied. Crews will not return once payment is made.
Only council-issued bins with a valid subscription will be collected.
No refunds for missed collections caused by non-payment or cancellation partway through the year.
The council may remove bins from your property if payment is not made.

4. Collections

Put your bin out by 6am on collection day and no earlier than 6pm the night before.
Bring bins back inside your property by 9am the next day.
Report missed collections within 48 hours via our website. Reports after this will not be actioned.
Crews will not return for bins that were not out on time, contaminated, too heavy, overflowing, obstructed, not council-issued, frozen or compacted inside.
Only loose garden waste is accepted (grass, leaves, hedge trimmings, flowers, small branches, small fruit fall, dead plants).
Do not put in: soil, stones, tree trunks, kitchen waste, plastic bags, paper/cardboard, pet bedding, DIY waste, or harmful plants (e.g. Japanese Knotweed).
Overweight or contaminated bins will not be emptied. No refunds.
No side waste will be collected.

5. Service disruption

Severe weather, roadworks, or other issues may cause delays or suspension. We will post updates online. No refunds for missed collections due to these circumstances.
No collections during Christmas and New Year (two-week break). Check your calendar for dates.
Bank Holiday collections may change - check the My Norwich portal.

6. Moving house

If you move within Norwich City Council’s area, you can transfer your service to your new address. Take your bin with you and notify us.

7. Bin damage

We will replace bins damaged during collection unless caused by misuse or prohibited waste. If damage is your fault, you may be charged.

8. Legal information

Your statutory rights are unaffected.
This contract is between you and us only.
We are not liable for indirect losses or delays outside our control.
English law applies, and disputes will be handled by courts of England and Wales.

Sign up for the garden waste service

What happens after you sign up