Garden waste collections
A fortnightly garden waste collection service is offered to subscribers using a wheeled bin or compostable paper sacks sold in packs of ten. Prices and order details are shown below
Annual renewal notices for wheeled bins are issued to subscribers and start from 1st April each year (1st March in West Somerset). New subscriptions can start from anytime during the year, but the full year fee will still apply for collections until renewals are due. Refunds cannot be issued for cancelling the service during the year.
Garden waste collections are fortnightly and normally on the alternate week to your refuse collection, although round arrangements for some involve a different day. There are no garden waste collections in the two weeks following Christmas and garden waste collections may be suspended during periods of severe weather.
Garden waste is only collected in the pre-paid bins or sacks ordered from district councils. Wheeled bin lids should be closed when put out for collection.
Garden waste collection service charges for 2013/14 are:
| District | Wheeled Bin | Sacks (10) |
| Mendip | £45.00 | £25.00 |
| Sedgemoor | £45.00 | £25.00 |
| South Somerset | £45.00 (12 months) or £85.00* (24 months) |
£25.00 |
| Taunton Deane | £45.00 | £25.00 |
| West Somerset | £45.00 | £25.00 |
The following can be recycled in your garden waste bin or sack:
- Flowers, plants and garden weeds
- Grass cuttings, leaves and hedge trimmings
- Small branches (less than 10cm or 4 inches width)
- Straw or sawdust (if bedding material, then only from vegetarian pets, such as rabbits, but not pet micro-pigs or racing pigeons)
Please do NOT put the following out with your garden waste: plastic bags, flower pots, plant labels, kitchen food waste, stones, rubble, soil, large branches or logs and Japanese Knotweed or Common Ragwort. Also see advice on Chalara dieback of ash trees.
Garden waste can also be home composted, which is the best option with most environmental benefits, or taken to a recycling site for composting. It should not be put out with rubbish for refuse collections, as it will then go to landfill and give off greenhouse gases as it breaks down and garden waste is not collected for free in Somerset.