Garden waste subscriptions hit nearly 80,000

People wising to have their garden waste collected in the next 12 months can sign up from today (1 October 2026) – with latest figures showing that subscriptions hit nearly 80,000 in the year 2025/26.

That figure is up almost 2,500 on the previous year, when charges were first introduced. In total there were 79,654 subscriptions in 2025/26, compared to 77,158 in 2024/25,

By paying the subscription fee of  £58 per bin, householders will have their garden waste collected from 1 November 2026 to  31 October 2027

David Vasmer, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for waste management, said:

“The second year of our garden waste subscription service ends on 31 October and we’re now inviting people to sign up to have their garden waste collected for the 12 months after that.

“The year 2026/26 saw a record number of subscriptions, nearly 2.500 up on the year before. I’m really pleased that such a large number of people value and use the service and I hope they will choose to subscribe again to have their garden bin emptied for the next year.

“I encourage people to sign up early to ensure that they receive the maximum number of collections during the subscription period. We also urge current subscribers to sign up before 1 November to ensure there is no break in their collection service.”

Everyone that subscribes receives a bin sticker that shows the waste collection crews which bins to empty. People subscribing for the year 26/27 will receive a new, different colour, sticker.

The price will be reviewed as part of the council’s 2027/28 budget consultation process and is subject to change from 1 April 2028.

Garden waste can also be taken to one of Shropshire Council’s household recycling centres, or composted at home.

For more information and to subscribe online go to www.shropshire.gov.uk/gardenwaste.

To subscribe by phone people can call 0345 520 7007 and select option 5. People can also subscribe by visiting the council’s Shropshire Local units in Ludlow and Shrewsbury, or one of Shropshire Local mobile units.

People that don’t subscribe are asked not to put garden waste in their general waste bin, as this is taken to the council’s energy recovery facility which can’t accept garden waste. General waste bins containing garden waste won’t be emptied.