Following the winter break, garden waste uplift will restart on Sunday 3 March and it will remain free of charge until July, when garden waste collections will become a paid for service in East Dunbartonshire.
The introduction of a charge follows a unanimous decision taken at the Council's meeting on Thursday 14 December 2023 and brings the Council in line with the majority of Scottish local authorities. Free collections will continue over the coming months while the permit system is set up.
As a non-statutory service, it is not a legal requirement for the Council to provide a garden waste uplift service. Reducing budgets and increasing costs mean that the Council can no longer operate this type of collection for free.
There will be a single annual charge of £50 per green bin, which will entitle the household to 19 fortnightly collections from March to November. From June, permits can be applied for online, by calling Customer Services on 0300 123 4510 or at Community Hubs by appointment. The exact date will be communicated nearer the time.
To continue to use the service after Sunday 7 July, residents will need to apply for a permit to display on their green bin.
Councillor Gordan Low, said, “Until now, East Dunbartonshire has chosen to offer a free garden waste collection, however, this has been subsidised from Council Tax paid by all households, including those who do not use it and those who do not have gardens.
“To retain a garden waste collection service, it is necessary to introduce a charge to contribute towards the cost of its provision. This decision, unanimously agreed by councillors in December, brings East Dunbartonshire in line with the majority of Councils in Scotland who now charge for this service.”
Residents who choose not to apply for a permit, can continue to dispose of garden waste at Mavis Valley Recycling Centre free of charge.
As the charge will be introduced halfway through the season, it will be pro rata for the first year; householders will be required to pay £26.62 per green bin for the 2024 season.
A full list of Frequently Asked Questions has been prepared and can be found on the Garden Waste Bin Charges FAQ's page.