Garden waste scheme opens for renewals and new subscribers

Subscriptions to renew or sign up for the first time to Cheshire East Council’s Garden Waste Recycling Scheme are now open.

Residents can opt-in to the scheme to use their garden bin to recycle their green waste and will pay an annual subscription fee for their bin to be collected. 

Residents who are already signed up to the council’s Garden Waste Recycling Scheme will need to renew their subscription if they wish to continue receiving collections.  

Subscriptions for this year are £69 per garden bin per year, with a 25 per cent reduction in the fee available for those receiving qualifying benefits. 

Councillor David Jefferay, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, said:

“Last year, more than 100,000 residents subscribed to our garden waste recycling scheme – an increase on the first year of the service. I’d like to thank everyone who has already signed up and continues to support this initiative. 

“The rise in this year’s subscription fee reflects the significant financial pressures facing the council. Our current forecast indicates a potential budget shortfall of £33m for 2026/27. 

“By generating income through this non-statutory service, we can maintain its delivery and continue to provide services that we know residents care deeply about, including those that are a legal duty and a lifeline to many, like social care." 

Cllr Jefferay added:

“The garden waste scheme offers a simple and convenient way to recycle green waste, with fortnightly collections and all material sent to our composting facility at Leighton in Crewe. 

“I’d like to remind residents who are already signed up that their subscription won’t automatically renew – they will need to log back in to the waste portal via the Cheshire East Council website and pay for the service that way. 

“I’d recommend doing it now to enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that it’s all in hand and they’re ready for collections from January.” 

Once subscribed, residents will be sent a welcome pack containing their subscription sticker, which will have their address and unique subscription number on it. 

Residents are urged to attach the new orange coloured sticker to the back of their garden bin (handle side) as soon as they receive it – but not obscuring any current subscription sticker – as garden bins without a valid sticker displaying will not be emptied. 

Providing that their email address is still the same, residents who subscribed to the service last year will receive a reminder email, enabling them to simply click the link to renew:

To join the garden waste recycling scheme or to renew your current subscription.

Residents not able to sign up online can contact the council on:

0300 123 5011

Subscriptions for 2026 will run from January to December.