Frequently asked questions about the price increase and removal of stickers

From April 1, 2022 the charge for the garden waste service will be £50 per year for each bin if you pay by direct debit (£55 if you pay by any other method).

The charge is in line with many other authorities and the increase is necessary to make up for a shortfall of funding from other sources and ensure the quality of service is maintained.

The service provides excellent value for money and the Council does not have any plans to increase the price further in the near future.

You can read a copy of the letter sent out to customers on the Council’s website.

Frequently asked questions

Why has the price of the service gone up?

The Council says the charge is in line with many other authorities and the increase is necessary to make up for a shortfall of funding from other sources and ensure the quality of service is maintained.

Why is the price for DD payers cheaper than for non-DD payers?

The price difference reflects the difference in costs between processing direct debits and other payment mechanisms

If you are making savings from not printing and posting stickers why has the price gone up?

As well as the savings being made from no longer printing and posting out thousands of stickers it has been necessary to increase the price of the service to support the Council’s ongoing budget following reductions in the amount of funding that the Council receives from other sources.

My council tax has also gone up. Why isn’t the price of Garden Waste collections included within this?

Garden Waste collections are not a statutory function and we’ve always asked those that receive the service to contribute towards the costs. The costs of subscribing to the service are still reasonable and in line with those charged by other Councils. Many properties within the Borough have no/little outside space and do not require a collection and it would be unreasonable to expect them to pay for a service that they will never need through their Council Tax.

Is the cost going to go up again next year / how long will this price be in place for?

The Council has no plans to increase the price again in the near future.

How can I cancel my service?

The new price will come into effect from your next renewal (after April 1, 2022). If you no longer wish to receive the service when your existing subscription expires please contact the Council at the point that your existing subscription expires. This can be done online or via the contact centre.

Can I get a refund (for the unused part of my annual subscription) if I cancel my service?

The Council does not issue refunds for any unused part of your subscription. All existing subscriptions will have been paid at the old rate.

Removal of Stickers from April 1, 2022

Why will I not be sent a sticker?

In 2019 we invested in some new technology that meant that all of our crews would have access to an electronic in-cab system which displays details of collections at properties and also allows them to report any issues in real time when they are there. Our crews have been using this system successfully for all black and recycling bin collections for the last 18 months. We are now in a position to use this system to manage our garden waste collections, meaning we no longer require customers to display a sticker on their bin(s). The in-cab system will display which properties have paid for the service and how many bins have been paid for. This will have a positive environmental impact as it will remove the need for thousands of stickers and letters being produced and posted out. This change will also save the Council approx. £50,000 per year.

If you are making savings from not printing and posting stickers why has the price gone up?

As well as the savings being made from no longer printing and posting out thousands of stickers it has been necessary to increase the price of the service from £41 per annum to £50 per annum to support the Council’s ongoing budget following reductions in the amount of funding that the Council receives. When setting the subscription price for the service, the Council looked at the prices charged by other Councils, both locally and around the country.  We have found that £50 per year is an average price.  However, some Councils do not collect the bins all year round like Charnwood. At £2 per collection, we believe that the service still provides good value when compared to other disposal methods

How will the crew know that I have paid for collections?

The crews now have an in-cab system which displays which properties have paid for the service and how many bins have been paid for.

Do I have to remove my current sticker from the bin?

No. Stickers can be left on bins, as the stickers have your address displayed it will help you identify your bin(s) after collection.

What if I live on a shared driveway and present my bins communally?

Please ensure you have your property number on the bin(s), this will ensure that your bin is emptied correctly. Numbers for bins can be purchased from shops or online cheaply.

Where can I find the terms and conditions?

Information on the service, including the terms and conditions, is available on the Council's website.