When you sign up for the garden waste service, we provide you with a 240 litre wheelie bin. We deliver your bin in time for your collection service to start.
If you live in a property where wheelie bins cannot be used, you may be eligible for a year's supply of compostable sacks. Applications can only be made once per year; compostable sacks are only available to order from 1 November to 28 February to start the service in April.
Collections
Collections are fortnightly. We will send you a calendar of the collection dates when you first sign up or you can check your collection dates online.
You can sign up for the whole year, or part of the year.
There are 9 opportunities to start the service each year as listed below. Applications must be received at least 31 days before the month you wish to start.
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
Renewing your subscription
Your garden waste subscription is due for renewal between 1 January and 31 March. If you wish to renew with a new direct debit this must be submitted by 28 February ready for payment on the 1 April. Reminders will be sent between January and March.
The garden waste service is subject to terms and conditions, which formalise the arrangement between Dorset Council and the customer.
What you can put in your garden waste bin
- hedge cuttings
- grass cuttings
- twigs and small branches
- plants
- cut flowers
- leaves
- small amounts of home-grown fruit and vegetables
Prices for 2026/27
The month you start the service will decide the price you pay. The annual allowance for compostable sacks is 50. Number of sacks to be placed out per collection is 2.
| Service start date | Number of collections | Price |
|---|---|---|
| April | 25 | £74 |
| May | 23 | £69.50 |
| June | 21 | £67 |
| July | 19 | £64 |
| August | 17 | £58.50 |
| September | 15 | £53.50 |
| October | 13 | £49.50 |
| November | 10 | £47 |
| December | 8 | £45 |