Subscribe to garden waste collection

Garden waste collection terms and conditions

Terms and Conditions 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027

These terms and conditions have been agreed to ensure a consistent delivery of the service to all residents. 

  • The subscription fee covers a 12-month period, 1 April to 31 March inclusive, each year. The full annual subscription is payable whenever a customer signs-up for the service during the year. 

  • Refunds will not be made for cancellations during the subscription year. 

  • Refunds will not be made for missed collections, but the council will make every effort to return to make the collection if the bin has been presented in accordance with our guidelines. Report a missed bin

  • There may be exceptional circumstances that cause the suspension or cancellation of the service (e.g. severe weather, industrial action or vehicle breakdown). Refunds will not be given in these occurrences. Guidance for all collection services and updates will be posted on our website.

  • Collections will be processed to commence at point of registration - it may take up to 10 working days for the first collection to be made. If the payment is not completed, fails or the Direct Debit is cancelled within the 10 days prior to it being collected, the service will be cancelled.   

  • If you sign-up by Direct Debit:  

- The initial payment will come out after 10 days from sign up and will cover the cost of that year’s service.

- The payment for subsequent years will be taken annually on 1 March. We will always contact you in advance of payment being taken. 

  • You have the right to cancel your Direct Debit under the Direct Debit Guarantee. While we can process the cancellation on your behalf, we recommend that you also contact your bank directly to ensure that no further payments are deducted. Subscriptions can be transferred to other addresses within the borough if a customer moves home. 

  • Brown bins remain the property of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and assigned to the address. If you move home, please contact the council to make arrangements for transferring your subscription (i.e. rather than taking the bin with you). 

  • The householder is responsible for maintaining the condition of the brown bin. If the bin is damaged or lost, the council’s bin replacement fees may apply. 

  • Scheduled alterations will be made to the service during public holidays. You will receive prior notification of these changes. 

  • During cold weather, we will continue to empty your brown bin; however, this may not be possible if the contents are frozen. Householders will be required to present brown bins in line with the council's requirements under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. More information about bin collections.

  • Bins containing incorrect waste will be deemed as contaminated and these will not be emptied. A return collection will not be made under these circumstances. It is the responsibility of the resident to sort the contents of the bin and remove contamination prior to the next collection. Please refer to our A-Z to see what you can put in each bin. 

  • Brown bins will not be collected that contain food waste. Please use your food caddy to ensure your food waste is recycled. 

  • Overflowing or excess waste placed around wheeled bins will not be collected. The bin lid must be closed to be emptied 

  • These terms and conditions will be revised and updated as required. Please check our website for up-to-date details on the circumstances.