Residents of Cheshire West and Chester, along with neighboring councils, are adjusting to changes made to their garden waste collection services for 2025. With fees now more common than free collections, local authorities have introduced subscription models to facilitate effective waste management.
Cheshire East Council has reportedly pioneered this shift, introducing charges last year and continuing to tweak its pricing. For the year 2025, residents of Cheshire East will need to subscribe for £59 per bin, which marks a modest increase of £3 from the previous year's fee. The council collects garden waste every two weeks from January through December, pausing collections only from mid-December to mid-January. Aiding affordability, residents on qualifying benefits can receive a 25% discount on the subscription fee.
The situation differs slightly within Cheshire West and Chester, which began accepting subscriptions on January 6, 2025, for its bi-weekly collection service. The cost of subscribing for this service has risen to £52.50 per bin, up £2.50 from last year, and residents are encouraged to subscribe before the end of January. This early sign-up ensures they can enjoy all 20 collection cycles scheduled throughout the year. Councilors note the importance of the garden waste service, seeing it as integral to the community's recycling efforts.
Warrington is also capitalizing on the new subscription-based approach. Their garden waste collection will set residents back £43.50 for online subscriptions, with slightly higher fees for phone or in-person sign-ups. Starting March 4 and running through December 5, those interested can expect bi-weekly collections, aiming to alleviate the burden of waste disposal by providing accessible solutions.
Halton Borough Council offers yet another variation, charging £43 per bin for its service running from June 3, 2024, to May 19, 2025. While their timeline may differ, the structure remains similar, with residents needing to plan for optional additional bins at the same fee.
Cllr Karen Shore of Cheshire West and Chester conveyed gratitude to residents for utilizing garden waste services, emphasizing the importance of recycling. She stated, "The collection of garden waste is not a core service...but as we accumulate waste, there’s much we can do. With £52.50 payable for 20 collections, it’s both valuable and practical for locals.”
Looking at why these changes are occurring reveals central government funding cuts, necessitating local authorities to rethink free services. Rather than eliminate the garden waste program entirely, Chester’s councils are opting for these subscription models to sustain the service.
With winter quickly approaching and the final collections for the year completed by late November, residents are reminded of alternative disposal methods for any garden waste produced during the winter months. Local households can utilize recycling centers, where they can drop off unwanted garden materials. Alternatively, for the environmentally inclined, storing waste for spring composting is encouraged.
Given competition among local councils, residents are urged to evaluate their options before selecting their preferred service. The information is readily available at each council's website, with easy links for signing up reflecting their commitment to informing residents of the changes.
To summarize, the recent fee changes and subscription services across Cheshire reflect necessary adaptations to funding shortfalls. Residents must now navigate these new costs and services to effectively manage their garden waste.