Garden waste

For garden waste, we provide residents in:

  • North Central Bedfordshire with two garden waste sacks, or a 240-litre garden waste bin
  • South Central Bedfordshire with a 240-litre garden waste bin

Not sure if you're north or south? Check our bin map (PDF 2.3MB) to see which you are.

Your nearest tidy tip (household waste recycling centre), also accepts any garden waste.

Please note that garden waste collections are suspended for approximately 12 weeks each year in the winter months.

What goes in your garden waste bin or bag?

  • grass cuttings
  • plants and weeds
  • flowers
  • prunings
  • hedge clippings
  • leaves and bark
  • vase plants
  • pond plants

Please note: All garden waste must be contained within either the wheelie bin or sacks that we provide. Any large branches, trunks and plants should be cut down to fit inside. Garden waste placed in sacks not provided by us will not be collected. There is a 10kg weight limit per sack as continual lifting could pose a hazard to our contractors.

What cannot go in your garden waste bin or bag?

  • vegetable peelings
  • food waste
  • compostable or biodegradable bags and packaging
  • plant pots
  • polystyrene trays
  • turf
  • soil
  • rubble including tiles and decking
  • animal bedding
  • pet waste
  • general household waste
  • empty compost and soil bags

Japanese knotweed

If you have Japanese knotweed in your garden, it is your duty to control it and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring properties. It is a controlled waste and therefore should be treated and disposed of in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990. For more information about the plant, please contact the Environment Agency.

Order garden waste sacks

Find out how to order garden waste sacks.

Report a missed collection

Missed bin collections must be reported within 2 working days of the scheduled collection day.

Report a missed bin collection

Did you leave your bin out by 7am?

If you forgot to leave your bin out by 7am at the boundary of your property, you’ll need to wait until the next bin collection day or take your rubbish to a tidy tip.