Garden Waste Subscription Service FAQs
What is new about the garden waste collection service?
Oxford City Council operate an annual subscription scheme for the collection of household garden waste.
If you wish to subscribe to the scheme you will receive a brown wheelie bin or biodegradable paper based compostable sacks.
You will agree to pay a yearly subscription of £36.75 in advance for a brown wheelie bin.
The paper based compostable sacks are an alternative or complementary to the brown wheelie bin and are available to buy from Cowley Marsh or Horspath depots.
If capacity allows, your garden waste will be collected on the same day as your recycling is collected. Where you are allocated a different day (for collection of garden waste only) we will advise you before you subscribe.
Can I put garden waste in my green refuse wheelie bin?
No. Our recycling and waste crews will not collect your green refuse wheelie bin if you have put garden waste in it.
Garden
waste that is put into the refuse wheelie bin will be sent to landfill
and add to environmental problems. Organic waste sent to landfill sites
produces methane, a powerful gas which is harmful to the environment.
What is the subscription process for the brown wheelie bin?- You request to join the scheme
- If we can accommodate your request an agreement is sent to you
- You make your annual subscription payment
- The service is free of charge for those receiving Council Tax or Housing Benefit at the time the customer joins the scheme
- The brown wheelie bin is delivered to your property within 20 days of payment clearing
- Once
delivered, your property will be identified on the crews round sheet as
having subscribed to the service. The crew will be authorised to empty
your wheelie bin from your property only.
- If capacity allows, your brown wheelie bin will be emptied on your normal recycling day. Where you are allocated a different day (for collection of garden waste only) we will advise you before you subscribe.
- The Council sends a new agreement to you before the existing contract expires
- The annual subscription will need to be renewed on the anniversary of your bin being delivered to your property.
- If
the subscription lapses due to non-payment, your brown wheelie bin
will not be emptied. The Council will collect your brown wheelie bin.
- Full terms and conditions will be sent to you with the agreement
I
do not want another wheelie bin or have room at my property for a
wheelie bin. How can I participate in the recycling of my garden waste?
You can purchase disposable paper based compostable sacks from us to put your garden waste in. We will collect the paper based compostable sacks on your normal recycling day.
The
Council would prefer you to have a brown wheelie bin as it is easier
for you and our crews to manage. It is also less hazardous for you and
our crews.
Alternatively your can compost your garden waste, share a wheelie bin with a neighbour or dispose of you waste at Redbridge recycling centre.
What is the subscription process for the paper based compostable sacks?
- The paper based compostable sacks come in packs of 10 or 20 units
- The paper based compostable sacks must be used within one year from purchase date
- We do not deliver paper based compostable sacks
- Payment is made at the time of collection/ordering. £26.25 for 10 paper based compostable sacks and £36.75 for 20 paper based compostable sacks
- Paper based compostable sacks will need to be paid for and collected at the same time from one of the two outlets below:
Horspath Road Offices
Horspath Road
Oxford, OX4 2RH
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 4.30pm
Cowley Marsh Depot
Marsh Road
Oxford, OX4 2HH
Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm
Alternatively you can pre-order by phone (01865 249811) and pay for paper based compostable sacks in advance. You will be given a reference number which you will need to present at the time of collection along with proof of identity and address at our Customer Service Centre below. Apologies we currently do not take payment at the time of collection at this site (please visit the two outlets above who offer this face to face payment service).
St Aldate's Customer Service Centre
St Aldate's Chambers
109 St Aldate's,
Oxford, OX1 1DS.
Monday - Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Friday: 9am - 4.30pm
- Your property will be identified on the crews round sheet, confirming the purchase of the paper based compostable sacks, and authorising for the crew to collect them for a period of one year
- Paper based compostable sacks will not be collected if they are not an authorised collection on the crew's round sheet
- Paper based compostable sacks are non transferable between properties
What size are the paper based compostable sacks?
The paper based compostable sacks are 75 litre (80cm x 60cm x25cm).
How many paper based compostable sacks can I put out for collection?
You
can put out as many paper based compostable sacks as you want. Please
remember the compostable sacks and its contents all go into the collection
vehicle. You do not get the sacks back.
Can I have a Brown Wheelie Bin and paper based compostable sacks supplied by the Council?
Yes.
You can have either the wheelie bin or the eco sacks or both. You can
have as many of each as you require, although you must pay for each
unit.
The Council would prefer you to have a brown wheelie
bin as it is easier for you and our crews to manage. It is also less
hazardous for you and our crews.
What size is the brown wheelie bin?
There are two sizes available:
- 240 litre (Recommended) - the same size as most of our green wheelie bins that you use for putting your waste in for landfill.
Or
- 140 litre - for use in smaller households
We will swap a bin for a different size once you have chosen your bin. However, if you decide to swap there will be a handling and delivery charge of £36.75.
The bin you receive may not be brand new.
What can I put in the brown wheelie bin/paper based compostable sacks?
You can put all garden waste in the brown wheelie bins including grass cuttings, leaves, small branches up to two inches, flowers, etc.
 Yes Please
|
 No Thanks
|
Branches (no longer than 5cm/2" diameter)
|
Soil or rubble
|
Flowers
|
Flower pots
|
Garden prunings
|
Logs
|
Garden waste
|
Food waste
|
Grass cuttings
|
Glass of any kind
|
Hedge trimmings
|
Paper, card or cardboard
|
Leaves, plants and weeds
|
Plastic of any kind
|
| Small shrubs |
Metal cans or foil of any kind
|
|
Cartons of any kind |
All brown wheelie bin lids must be closed when they are put out for collection. Wheelie bins with open lids could damage the bin/or vehicle lifting mechanisms when the crews empty your bin.
How much is the brown wheelie bin?
The brown wheelie bin subscription service costs £36.75 a year. The bin is delivered free.
Are there any discounts on the Garden Waste Subscription Service?
If you are receiving Housing or Council Tax benefit you will receive a concession on the price of the subscription.
I am responsible for paying Council Tax on my property and I am in receipt of Council Tax Benefit or Housing Benefit. Are there any discounts on the purchase of the paper based compostable sacks?
If your property is unsuitable for a wheelie bin, you are responsible for paying Council Tax on your property and you are in receipt of Council Tax Benefit or Housing Benefit, we do have concessionary paper based compostable sacks as an alternative option. Please contact us to discuss further.
How many bins can I subscribe for?
You can have as many bins as you like but each bin subscription is £36.75 each per year.
Do I own the brown wheelie bin?No. You are subscribing to the service. See
Terms and Conditions for further information.
Is there a refund if I no longer want the brown bin during my year's subscription?
No. No refunds will be given once the contract is activated.
What happens to my subscription service if I move house?
If you move to another property serviced by Oxford City Council's recycling and waste teams you can take your bin with you.
Please inform us of your new address so we can transfer the service. If you do not tell us the crews will not be authorised to empty the brown wheelie bin.
If you move to another property NOT serviced by Oxford City Council's recycling and waste teams, please let us know and we will come and collect the wheelie bin or you can leave it for the next occupier who will receive the service until the renewal date.
Who is responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of the brown bin?
The
resident is responsible for cleaning and replacement in the event of
damage or theft. The Council will repair/replace the bin if affected by
fair wear and tear. Any replacement brown bin may not be new.
Will the brown wheelie bin replace the Green Hessian garden sack currently in use?
Yes. The brown wheelie bin will replace the green Hessian garden sack.
Will you collect extra garden waste if I put it next to the bin/compostable sack?
No.
All garden waste must be in the approved containers for collection. All
brown wheelie bin lids must be closed as open lids when lifted by the
vehicles machinery could damage the bin and/or the machinery.
Will you collect garden waste in other containers that have not been supplied by the Council?
We
will only collect garden waste in the approved brown wheelie bins or
the Council supplied paper based compostable sacks from the authorised
address.
When will my garden waste be collected?
If capacity allows, your garden waste will be collected on the same day as your recycling is collected. Where you are allocated a different day (for collection of garden waste only) we will advise you before you subscribe.
How should I ensure that my wheelie bin/ paper based compostable sacks is collected?
On
your normal collection day for recycling leave the bin (with the lid
closed) or/and paper based compostable sacks alongside your other
receptacles for collection.
Definition of where residents are to place containers:
Clearly
visible and accessible to our crews, being placed as close to where
your property meets the publicly adopted highway/pavement as possible
(or where your property meets the agreed private road).
Please ensure you do not obstruct the pavement when putting out your container.
How do I renew my garden waste subscription?
We
will write to or email you in good time before your subscription ends offering
you the chance to renew it for another year. If you do not want to
renew the subscription, we will collect your brown wheelie bin.
Can I pay by direct debit?
No. Unfortunately you cannot pay by direct debit at the moment. We hope to offer this way of paying in the future.
Are the brown wheelie bins chipped?
Yes.
Our brown wheelie bins are chipped but only so we know which property
they are registered to. We do not record any other data on the chip.
I
currently receive assisted collections with my bins, will I receive an
assisted collection with the brown wheelie bin/paper based compostable sacks?
Yes. If you currently receive an assisted collection you will receive one for your brown wheelie bin or paper based compostable sacks.
I no longer receive the qualifying benefits or I have had my benefit suspended, do I still use the free wheelie bin?
Yes.
You can use your brown wheelie bin until the subscription is due for
renewal. You will have to pay to renew your subscription if the
situation remains the same.
What will happen if I put my garden waste out for collection in any container other than the brown wheelie bin or the council supplied paper based compostable sacks?
We will not empty any other container and will pass your details onto our customer liaison officers who will contact you to advise you of the garden waste subscription service.
Will you provide a special collection of my old Green Hessian sacks that I previously used for my garden waste?
No. We will not provide a special collection of your old Green Hessian sacks. Please feel free to use them for other purposes.
Can I line my bin to keep it clean or put bags of garden waste in it?
Sorry. You can't line the bin as it contaminates the waste and can damage shredding equipment. For the same reason you cannot put bags in the bin. Garden waste must be loose or in the paper based compostable sacks available from the Council.
How long will it take to deliver my bin once payment has been cleared?
We anticipate that those residents who have ordered a brown bin will have them delivered within 20 working days of payment being cleared.
Page last reviewed 3 May 2012
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