Are you thinking about sprucing up your garden this spring? By signing up to Ealing Council’s garden waste recycling service, or renewing your current subscription, you will see a host of new improvements.

The council is making its garden waste recycling service more affordable, flexible and easy to use, following feedback from residents. Nearly 3,000 people who already use the service told the council about changes they would like to see, and a number of them are being implemented.

What’s changing?

From 1 April 2026, residents will benefit from a number of improvements to the service, including:

• a lower annual subscription price
• a shorter winter pause, reduced from 11 weeks to 8 weeks
• new prorata subscription options for households joining in July or October
• prorata refunds available for residents who move out of the borough during the service year

These changes are designed to offer better value for money and mean residents only pay for the months they use.

Why sign up?

The garden waste recycling service provides a convenient, environmentally friendly way to dispose of your grass cuttings, leaves and small branches. Once collected, your garden waste is taken away to be processed into high quality compost, helping nourish soil and is kinder to the environment.

More than 16,000 households already use the service. If you have a small garden, you can save money by sharing a bin, and the cost, with a neighbour.

How it works

Once you sign up, you’ll receive either a green wheelie bin or green reusable sacks, depending on your preference or property type. Simply place them at the front of your property, as close to the pavement as possible, by 7am on collection day.

The subscription year runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Collections take place every fortnight, except during winter.

Annual subscriptions are £75 with concessionary rates of £50 if you are aged 65 or over or receive means-tested benefits.

Collections pause for 8 weeks during the winter months. In the council’s survey, residents said that the previous 11-week pause felt too long, but agreed that demand is still lower during this period. Christmas tree collections will still take place throughout January.

Already have a subscription?

If you’re already subscribed, your existing garden waste service will end on 31 March 2026 and will not renew automatically.

To continue without missing any collections, make your payment for the 2026/27 service year by 27 March 2026.

Sign up now

To recycle your garden waste in an environmentally friendly way, visit the garden waste collection service page on the council’s website.

It is quick and easy to sign-up and make card payment online using the council’s MyAccount customer portal. Register a new account or sign in to your existing account and fill in the garden waste collection service form.

If you need help to subscribe or pay online, you can call customer services on 020 8825 6000, 9am to 5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and 10am to 5pm on Wednesday. You can also visit a community hub where a member of staff can help you.

‘Lower prices, a shorter winter pause and fairer subscription options’

Councillor Paul Driscoll, the council’s cabinet member for climate action, said: “We’re pleased to be introducing a garden waste recycling service that reflects what residents told us they wanted. With lower prices, a shorter winter pause and fairer subscription options, the service will be more flexible and better value for everyone who uses it.

“We hope these changes make it even easier for people across the borough of Ealing to recycle their garden waste and continue the fantastic work they’re already doing to help protect our environment.”