Brown bin collections

GARDEN waste permits for 2024/25 are now available to buy online.

East Renfrewshire Council introduced the permit scheme in the summer of 2021, with residents having to pay to have their brown bins emptied.

The renewal date for 2024/25 is Wednesday, May 1, and the cost is £52.20.

After an application form is submitted, residents should receive their permit within 10 working days.

Those who have a 2023/24 permit will continue to have their garden waste collected until the week beginning Monday, May 6.

A council spokesperson said: “You have the option to purchase a second garden waste permit, provided you already have a second brown bin, at an additional cost of £52.20.

“If you don’t have a second brown bin, you can purchase one for £114.84. This includes the cost of a second garden waste permit.

“To ensure your garden waste is collected from May 1, you should purchase your permit by April 14. This is to allow time for the permit to arrive.

“From May 1, your garden waste will only be collected once your new permit is on your brown bin.”

When the scheme was first introduced, a number of residents criticised the fee, insisting the collection of garden waste should be included in their council tax bills.

However, the local authority has stressed that, while councils have a statutory duty to collect household waste, including food waste, this does not include garden waste.

The scheme continues to operate as an opt-in system and anyone who doesn’t need their garden waste collected can still use their brown bin for food waste.

For more information or to buy a permit for 2024/25, visit https://orlo.uk/pwtTf.