Green paid-for garden waste bin

Manage your garden waste subscription

If you have a garden waste bin subscription, you can manage your account online. Use the button below to:

• cancel your subscription
• request a replacement permit
• reduce the number of bins collected
• tell us if you're moving within the borough
• tell us if you're moving out of the borough

Manage and update your service

Cancel your subscription

Direct Debit subscribers

If you do not want to renew for the 2026/27 year, cancel your subscription using the button above. No payment will be taken.

You must also tell your bank to cancel your Direct Debit. Cancel by Wednesday 18 February to make sure no payment is taken from your account.

If you cancel part-way through the year, you will not get a refund for the unused part of the year.

Non-Direct Debit subscribers

If you do not want to renew for the 2026/27 year, cancel your subscription using the button above.

If you cancel part-way through the year, you will not get a refund for the unused part of the year.

Request a replacement permit

If you have not received your permit in the post, wait 14 days after your subscription date before requesting a replacement.

You can request a replacement if your permit is lost or damaged and cannot be read.

Your original permit will no longer be valid. Bins displaying the old permit will not be collected.

Moving within the borough

If you are moving within the borough, you can transfer your subscription to your new address. Once we get your request, we will send a new permit to your new address. Stick it on your bin for collections. Take your bin with you when you move.

Moving out of the borough

If you are moving out of the borough, your subscription will be cancelled. You will not get a refund for any unused part of the year.

Refunds

You can get a full refund if you cancel within 14 days of starting your subscription, in line with consumer regulations.

If you cancel after 14 days, you will not receive a refund, even if you have not used the bin yet. We will still collect the bin from you.

See our terms and conditions for full details.

What to put in your garden waste bin

We only collect garden waste from homes with a valid garden waste subscription.

If you do not have a subscription, you can subscribe today!

How to use your bin

• Put garden waste straight into the bin – no bags
• Do not use compostable bags/liners or other plastic bags

What can go in your green bin

• Flowers and plants
• Garden weeds
• Grass cuttings
• Hedge trimmings
• Leaves
• Small twigs and branches
• Logs up to 15cm (6 inches) in diameter
• Windfall fruit
• Waste from vegetable patches (not peelings)
• Real Christmas trees (remove all decorations first) – you can also arrange a Christmas tree collection for a small donation to North London Hospice

What cannot go in your green bin

• Food waste
• Compostable or plastic bags/liners
• General household waste
• Stones
• Soil
• Plant pots – plastic or terracotta
• Logs larger than 15cm (6 inches) in diameter
• Japanese knotweed – visit GOV.UK for guidance on how to dispose of it and stop it spreading
• Shredded paper
• Manufactured wood (treated or untreated)
• Dog waste and pet litter

Presenting your garden waste bin

• Keep the lid fully closed. Overflowing bins can be dangerous to collection staff.
• All waste must fit inside the bin. We do not collect side waste.
• Bins with compacted waste or heavy logs may not be collected if they are overweight

If you have too much garden waste, you can subscribe for an additional bin.

You can also take excess garden waste to:

• Barrowell Green recycling centre
• Edmonton Eco Park

What happens to my garden waste?

In north London, garden waste from homes (and sometimes from businesses), is sent to an in-vessel composting plant. There, it is turned into nutrient-rich compost that can be used to grow crops and food.

For more information, visit North London Waste Authority – What happens to north London's garden waste?

Garden waste bin sizes

Garden waste subscription service terms and conditions

1. The service basics

1.1. This agreement is made between the resident (‘the Subscriber’) and London Borough of Enfield (‘LBE’) of Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, EN1 3XA and sets out the terms and conditions under which the Subscriber may use LBE’s garden waste bin collection service (‘the Service’).

1.2. The Service is only available to LBE domestic council taxpayers. Neighbours may share a bin; however, the bin must be registered to only one address and presented for collection at the boundary of that address.

1.3. The payment for the Service is in advance annually and only the Subscriber who has paid their subscription is eligible to receive the Service. The Subscription year runs from April to March annually and finishes on 31 March of each subscription year, whatever time of year the subscription is taken up. Subscriptions do not run on a rolling 12-month basis.

1.4. The cost of the Service is determined by the council on an annual basis.

2. Start of the Service and bin delivery

2.1. LBE will provide a 240-litre wheeled bin with a green lid (or 140-litre wheeled bin on specific request), this may come from our refurbished stock. If you already have a LBE wheeled bin with a green lid, you will not be supplied a new bin, unless your current bin is damaged.

2.2. If a bin is required, delivery may take up to 10 days to be received.

2.3. All garden waste bin(s) remain the property of LBE.

2.4. The Subscriber cannot supply their own bin. Only bins supplied by LBE, clearly displaying the correct permit sticker, will be emptied.

2.5. The permit sticker must always remain stuck to the bin. If the Subscriber removes the permit the bin(s) may not be emptied, and the Subscriber may be charged for a replacement permit.

2.6. Any faulty bins will be replaced without charge, which may be from the LBE’s refurbished stock.

3. The Service and presentation of the bin(s)

3.1. Collections will take place on a fortnightly basis on the Subscriber’s standard collection day.

3.2. On the collection day, the bin(s) should be presented at the boundary of the property by 5:30am to ensure collection. The bin(s) shall not be presented in such a way to cause an obstruction to pedestrians or at the kerbside of the pavement where they may cause an obstruction to road users. Where there is limited room, the bin(s) should be left just inside the Subscriber’s property boundary.

3.3. Only loose garden waste, as listed in the current acceptance list, may be placed in the garden waste bin. The garden waste must not be placed in plastic bags or any other sort of packaging, including fully compostable bags. Non-acceptable items affect the composting process and may contaminate the resultant compost.

3.4. Garden waste bins contaminated with non-permitted items in the current acceptance list will not be collected. Once the householder has removed the non-permitted items, the bin will be emptied on the next scheduled collection and not before.

3.5. If bins are regularly contaminated the resident will be warned about the issues. If contamination issues continue the collection Service will be withdrawn from that property, without refund.

3.6. Properties with restricted access may not be suitable to receive the Service. Upon assessment of your property, if it is deemed not suitable, you will be advised of other options, and a full refund will be received.

3.7. All garden waste must be contained within the bin provided with a fully shut lid. Overfilled bins will not be collected. No side waste will be collected.

3.8. Bins too heavy for safe handling or unsafe for the lift mechanism on the collection vehicle will not be emptied.

3.9. If the Subscriber subscribes to multiple bins, the Subscriber can present as many or as few as necessary at each collection (for example, if you have 2 subscriptions, you may present 1 or 2 bins at each collection).

3.10. Overly compacted garden waste can get stuck in bins, especially in winter months when the material freezes. It may not be possible to fully empty the bin. Operatives will attempt to loosen material, but where this is not possible, it is the responsibility of the Subscriber to loosen this material and present the bin on the next scheduled collection day.

3.11. Failure to present the bin in time for collection may result in a missed collection and the bin will not be emptied until the next scheduled collection date.

3.12. Only bins supplied by LBE clearly displaying the official permit sticker will be emptied. Bins displaying a damaged or defaced permit may not be collected.

3.13. Bins displaying a permit sticker with a different address to where the bin has been presented will not be emptied and may be removed without warning.

3.14. An assisted collection service is available for those eligible for an assisted refuse and recycling collection providing it is practicable to do so. This collection can be applied for through our website.

3.15. Collections may be changed, due to bank holidays, seasonal holidays and some unforeseen circumstances. Residents can find information of these changes on our Find your collection day page.

3.16. LBE reserves the right to suspend the Service in exceptional circumstances (for example, adverse weather conditions, industrial action, riot, terrorist attack, war or fire). No refunds will be payable where collections have been suspended in these exceptional circumstances. Where possible LBE will arrange an alternative collection day.

3.17. If LBE misses a collection when a bin has been presented correctly, LBE must be notified within 24 hours of the missed collection. On notification, LBE will endeavour to return to empty the bin by the end of the following working day. LBE will not issue refunds for missed collections.

3.18. If LBE misses a collection and the Subscriber independently arranges for collection of garden waste, LBE will not be responsible for any third-party costs or any costs incurred.

3.19. The council accepts no liability for any damage caused in performing the Service.

4. Subscriber obligations

4.1. After collection, the Subscriber must return the bin(s) to the Subscriber’s property at the earliest opportunity.

4.2. The Subscriber is responsible for the safe and secure storage of the bin(s) on the Subscriber’s property at all times.

4.3. The Subscriber is responsible for the general condition and cleaning of the garden waste bin whilst in their possession.

4.4. The bin(s) must not be defaced, damaged or inscribed in any way.

4.5. Defective or stolen bins must be reported immediately and will normally be replaced without charge.

4.6. LBE may charge for a replacement bin(s) if it is deemed the damage to the bin(s) is caused by incorrect storage or use of the bin(s).

4.7. LBE accepts no liability for injury due to improper use of the bin.

5. Resubscriptions

5.1. Within 1 month of the end of the subscription year, the Subscriber will be contacted by email/post to resubscribe for the following year and methods of payment.

5.2. Existing subscribes will be advised of the annual subscription cost during the renewal period.

5.3. If you chose to pay by Direct Debit, then it is your responsibility to update the council about any changes to existing payment arrangements. The council may cancel your subscription with immediate effect if you cancel your direct debit before the current collection year’s subscription fee is paid.

5.4. After resubscribing to the Service, the new permit will arrive up to 10 working days before the new Service starts.

5.5. Only bins displaying the correct year’s permit sticker will be emptied. Failure to attach the new year’s permit to the bin may result in missed collection until the correct permit is displayed.

5.6. Resubscriptions taken out after 1 April will only receive collections once the new subscription year’s permit has been received and attached to the bin(s) – the permit may take up to 10 working days to be delivered.

5.7. If the Subscriber chooses not to resubscribe, no refund is offered for any remaining Subscription period.

6. Refunds/Cancellation/Moving property

6.1. The Subscriber is entitled to a full refund up to 14 days after taking out the subscription, in line with consumer regulations.

6.2. After 14 days of subscription the Service can be cancelled, but no refund will be given even if the bin is yet to be used. The bin will still be collected from the Subscriber.

6.3. The Subscriber must request the cancellation of the Service in writing to the council (emails or web form is acceptable).

6.4. In the event that the Subscriber does not use the Service for any part of the subscription year for whatever reason, including but not limited to death, medical incapacity, being away on holiday or being away from home for whatever reason, the Subscriber will not receive a refund for that period.

6.5. Refunds will be provided through the Payments system – refunds will not be supplied through any other payment method. The council will inform the Subscriber when the refund has been processed. It can take up to 10 working days for money to be returned.

6.6. The bin(s) will be collected from the Subscriber within 28 days of a request to cancel the Service. Refunds will only be issued once the bin has been collected.

6.7. Failure to return the bin(s) will nullify any refund.

6.8. The Subscriber may be charged for any damage to the bin prior to a refund being issued.

6.9. The Service is non-transferable from one resident to another. If the Subscriber moves out of borough, or no longer requires the collection mid-subscription year, the Subscription will end.

6.10. On moving address within the borough, the service can be transferred to the new address. The Subscriber should inform LBE in writing (emails or web form is acceptable) of the previous and new address. The Subscriber can move the bin(s) themselves, or request LBE to move the bin(s), LBE may decide to charge for this.

6.11. If moving out of the borough, LBE must be informed and the bin returned. Failure to do so may result in costs to recover the bin to be charged.

6.12. No refund is offered if the subscription is cancelled due to the Subscriber moving property; however long is left on the Subscription period.

7. Subscriber data

7.1. The information provided by the Subscriber will be held and processed by LBE.

7.2. Information provided will not be shared with other council departments. Information will be held and disposed of in line with the LBE's GDPR, document retention and disposal guidance. Any information that the LBE has about a resident can be obtained by making a request in writing by using a Subject Access Request form. See our privacy notice.

8. Other

8.1. LBE reserves the right to vary these terms and conditions. The Subscriber will be notified of any changes.

8.2. To contact LBE in respect of any queries, issues or complaints relating to this Service, see our garden waste pages for advice and current contact details.

Download the terms and conditions (PDF, 113.81 KB).