Deadline set for paid-for garden waste collection

The council said it is ending free garden waste collection for 66,000 properties due to the cost of living crisis

Residents in York have until 5 August to apply to have their garden waste collected by the council for an annual charge of £46.50.

Collections of green waste were previously free but City of York Council said it was a "tough choice" to introduce charges for 66,000 properties, which were part of "necessary cuts" during the cost of living crisis.

The authority said anyone who did not want to subscribe to the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme, would not have their green waste collected.

All properties eligible for kerbside garden waste collection in the city would be sent information about the service this week, officials said.

'Necessary cuts'

Councillor Jenny Kent, executive member for the environment and climate emergency at the council, said: "Nobody wants to have another charge for something that they value.

"We’re not taking it away. We’re giving people the option to continue to pay for it if they value it."

Ms Kent said people who did not want to sign up for the scheme could take waste to recycling sites at Hazel Court or Towthorpe, or could use the most "environmentally-friendly option to compost at home".

Ms Kent added: "It is part of our necessary cuts that we had to make because of the cost of living crisis, it’s a service we very much value."

The subscription garden waste service will operate for 40 weeks per year, running from March to December.

However, as the council is introducing the charge part way through the year, the new service will be charged on a pro-rata basis, with the fee for 2024 set at £21.00.

A spokesperson for the council said more than 70% of local authorities in the country already charged for garden waste collections.

They said the new scheme would help to protect other key local services.

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