Garden waste

You can use your burgundy bin for garden waste if you have a valid garden waste permit.

What you can put in your burgundy bin

If you have a permit, you can use your burgundy bin for garden waste such as:

• grass cuttings
• leaves and flowers
• small branches and hedge trimmings

Your garden waste is taken to a composting facility, where it is processed and turned into compost.

Large or bulky garden waste

If you have large items such as tree trunks, thick branches or large hedge cuttings, you should not put these in your burgundy bin.

You can:

• take bulky garden waste to your local household waste and recycling centre, or
• arrange a garden waste uplift for items that cannot go in your bin

Reduce waste at home

Almost a third of household rubbish can be composted. Home composting is a way to deal with garden waste and some food waste at home, and reduces what you put out for collection.

If you have a garden, composting can help improve your soil and cut down on the amount of waste you produce.

Home composting

Almost a third of household rubbish can be composted at home. Composting is an easy way to turn garden and kitchen waste into a natural soil improver, while reducing how much rubbish you put in your bins.

You can compost at home using a compost bin or a simple heap in your garden. The finished compost can be used to improve soil, support plant growth and keep your garden healthy.

What home composting involves

Composting breaks down organic waste such as garden cuttings and uncooked food scraps. This happens naturally, as tiny living organisms break the waste down over time.

You do not need special equipment to get started, but many people choose to use a compost bin to keep things tidy and help the process along.

What you can compost

You can compost most garden and kitchen waste, including:

• grass cuttings, leaves and hedge trimmings
• old plants, small branches and twigs
• fruit and vegetable peelings and leftovers
• tea bags and coffee grounds
• cut flowers
• straw and hay
• crushed eggshells
• newspapers

What you should not compost

Some items should never go into a home compost bin, as they can cause smells, attract pests or contaminate the compost.

Do not compost:

• cooked food
• raw meat or fish
• nappies
• dog or cat waste
• glass, plastic or metal
• coal or ash
• diseased plants
• garden waste recently treated with weed killer

Getting started

You can buy compost bins from DIY stores, garden centres and online retailers. Many garden centres also offer advice on how to use them and what works best.