Garden Waste Removal & Disposal: Comprehensive Guide

Table of contents:

• Best garden waste removal & disposal services UK
• Garden waste removal service near you
• Gallery of garden waste we have removed
• Garden waste removal & disposal: questions people commonly ask

Best garden waste removal & disposal services UK

Garden waste collection is essential for homeowners in the UK either as part of seasonal garden care and maintenance such as raking leaves or mowing the lawn, or through landscaping or home remodelling projects that generate substantial amounts of garden waste.

The member partners listed on this website can collect and dispose of grass clippings, leaves, twigs and branches, hedge trimmings, weeds, plant prunings, dead plants, indoor and outdoor plants, tree roots and stumps, fruit and vegetable scraps, soil and dirt, mulch and compost, bark and wood chips, and a wide range of other garden debris.

Garden waste removal service near you

Although homeowners can typically use their green wheelie bins to dispose of green waste, our man and van garden clearance service is essential for disposing of large quantities of garden waste quickly.

Get rid of garden waste quickly and efficiently with the services offered by our hardworking garden clearance member partners today.

Gallery of garden waste we have removed

Garden waste removal & disposal: questions people commonly ask

How do I dispose of garden waste near me?

There are many ways to dispose of garden waste, including composting organic garden waste, incineration or burning in a bonfire, giving felled timber away as firewood, selling usable garden waste, or disposing of it through council garden waste collection or hiring an independent man & van garden clearance team.

Can I burn garden waste?

You are permitted to burn your garden waste in the UK in a controlled bonfire provided that the fire does not cause a nuisance to neighbours and that you are burning organic garden waste. Be careful not to burn treated timber or painted siding, wet leaves, or any hazardous materials containing paint or solvents.

Furthermore, refrain from using petrol to start your fire and instead opt for natural tinder and kindling such as cotton balls, thin bark, or sticks/twigs.

What goes in the green bin the UK?

Every council in the UK uses different coloured bins for domestic waste, but normally the green bin is used for garden waste. Every council has different types of garden waste that can or cannot be placed inside of the garden waste bin.

Common examples of garden waste that most councils accept in the garden waste bin include: flowers, grass cuttings, leaves, hedge clippings, small branches, twigs, tree bark, weeds, and indoor & outdoor plants.

What is the meaning of garden refuse?

Garden refuse is any unwanted non-hazardous solid waste generated from gardens. For all practical intents and purposes, it is synonymous with garden waste, a term much more commonly used in the UK.

Garden refuse includes all manner of organic garden waste such as twigs and branches, leaves, grass cuttings, weeds, shrub prunings, and more.

What time can you burn garden waste in your garden?

You can burn garden waste in your garden at any time, day or night, so long as you do not cause a statutory nuisance to neighbours or cause smoke to drift towards traffic.

Councils do not have specific time constraints for domestic bonfires, however there are specific types of waste that can and cannot be burned. Hazardous waste or any domestic waste that could cause pollution or harm cannot be burnt on a bonfire in your garden. See the government’s domestic garden bonfire rules.

Can you burn grass cuttings in the UK?

Grass cuttings can be burnt on a garden bonfire in your garden in the UK. Whilst burning your grass cuttings can reduce garden waste and save money on garden clearance services, it may be just as effective as using grass cuttings as a healthy and nutritious mulch for your lawn or placing them in a compost bin.

Can I put leaves in my green bin?

Green bins in the UK are most often used for recyclable glass or dry recyclables. Some councils use green bins for food waste or organic garden waste, however.

Green wheelie bins are most often used for garden waste. Most councils accept leaves inside of the green wheelie bin, or whichever coloured bin your council uses for garden waste.

How do you dispose of grass cuttings in the UK?

There are many ways to dispose of grass cuttings in the UK, such as using it for mulch, composting it at home, burning it on a bonfire, scheduling council garden waste collection or using your garden waste bin, disposing of it yourself, or hiring a man & van garden clearance team.

How do I stop my garden waste bin from smelling?

Garden waste bins tend to be smelly when foul odours build up inside and are allowed to escape, especially in the warmer summer months.

To reduce odours from your garden waste bin, try to keep your garden waste bin away from direct sunlight, keep the lid closed, wrap food waste in newspaper or bag it, and/or line the bottom of the wheelie bin with newspaper or sprinkle bicarbonate of soda or cat litter to absorb odours. You may also wish to rinse and wash the inside of your garden waste bin occasionally.

Why is my green bin full of maggots?

Green bins may attract maggots because the decomposition of organic waste and rot can generate warmth and moisture, which are prime places for maggots to lay their eggs. Maggots and flies will naturally be attracted to garden waste bins that are exposed and where protection, warmth, and rotting food sources are readily available.

Is it normal to have maggots in the green bin?

It is fairly normal to have maggots living in your green bin, particularly in the warmer summer months. They are attracted to rotting food and decomposing organic matter, which provides them with protection, warmth, and moisture and makes a prime location for laying eggs.

Maggots may also be present in your household waste bags or containers at home, although you should endeavour to dispose of your household waste regularly to avoid having maggots in your home.

How long does garden waste take to decompose?

Garden waste can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years to decompose. The length of time it takes for garden waste to decompose depends on how well it is composted and how well the compost is aerated, the balance of nitrogen, moisture, and other nutrients that help garden waste decompose, and how often the pile is turned.

Generally, garden waste such as grass cuttings as well as fruit and vegetable scraps tend to compost quickly, perhaps in a week or two, whereas leaves and wood can take a few months. Poorly aerated and poorly managed compost piles can take years to decompose fully.

How do you break down garden waste quickly?

To break down garden waste quickly in your home compost bin, it is essential to opt for small shredded organic waste rather than coarse and large pieces, e.g. branches. Furthermore, ensure that your compost bin contains a healthy mix of carbon-rich materials (brown) and nitrogen-rich materials (green), turn the compost heap regularly to improve aeration, and keep any large pieces near the centre of the heap when turning.

Can you take hedge cuttings to the tip?

Hedge cuttings can be taken to the council tip for disposal, but most councils will also accept hedge cuttings in your garden waste wheelie bin as well.

Small, fine hedge cuttings can also be used in a home compost bin or you may wish to have it disposed of quickly with a man & van garden clearance team near you.

Can I take garden waste to my local tip?

Most council tips in the UK will accept garden waste, however it is usually best to leave garden waste in your garden waste bin for routine collection.

Certain types of garden waste cannot be accepted by some councils, such as large branches, soil, or excessive quantities of organic waste. Consider hiring a man & van garden clearance company to haul away unwanted garden waste quickly.

How do I get rid of topsoil for free?

You may be able to get rid of unwanted topsoil for free by advertising to neighbours or online since many homeowners will gladly accept free topsoil for their garden.

Other methods of disposing of topsoil include using a skip bin or hiring a rubbish removal company near you.

Can you put logs in the green bin?

Most councils in the UK will not accept logs as part of their garden waste collection services.

Logs and other bulky garden waste such as large branches and tree stumps must be disposed of through other means, such as hiring a landscape contractor or a man & van garden clearance company.

How do I get rid of tree branches in the UK?

Tree branches can be disposed of in the UK in garden waste wheelie bins provided that they are small twigs and not too large. Small twigs, fagoting, kindling, and pieces of bark can be collected by most councils, but large bundles of branches, logs, tree stumps, and timber (e.g. railway sleepers) typically cannot. Generally, councils will accept branches that are no larger than 10cm (or 4 inches) thick.

To dispose of large branches, logs, and other bulky garden waste, hire a local man & van garden clearance team near you.

What can I do with grass clippings in the UK?

Grass clippings can be used to create a healthy and nutritious mulch for your lawn, provided that it has been cut finely. You can also dispose of grass clippings by placing them in a compost bin, burning them on a controlled bonfire, or in your garden waste wheelie bin.

For excessive grass clippings, consider scheduling garden waste collection with your local council or hiring a man & van garden clearance company.

Is soil considered garden waste?

Soil is considered to be garden waste, although most councils will not accept soil in your garden waste wheelie bin. Trace amounts of soil found on weed roots, branches, or grass clippings are acceptable, however.

Soil may be considered DIY & builder’s waste and large quantities of soil will typically need to be disposed of as DIY waste at your local council tip or through a local man & van garden clearance company.