When Does Garden Waste Collection Start in London in 2025?

As the early signs of spring appear, most of us across the United Kingdom, specifically London, begin redirecting our attention to the garden. Whether you are cultivating plants, mowing the lawn, or handling a winter’s worth of weeds, one question swiftly turns up: When does garden waste collection begin?

If you desire to get your green bins back into action, you are not alone. London’s garden waste services differ from region to region—not only in beginning dates, but also in cost and frequency. This informative blog analyses when garden waste collections begin in 2025 across numerous major London councils so that you can keep pace with the composting curve.

What is Happening in 2025?

Garden waste collection is usually seasonal, restarting in the spring (March–April) and ending in late autumn (November–December), depending on your local authority. Most councils now work on a subscription basis, meaning you might require to sign up (and pay) to get your green bin emptied.

Here is a quick glance at a few of the major London councils and their 2025 garden waste collection start dates:

Camden Council

Start Date: 7^th April 2025
Frequency: Fortnightly
Cost: £75 per year
Info: Most households will have a new collection day starting from April.

Hackney Council

Period: 1^st April 2025 – 31 March 2026
Cost: £85/year
Frequency: Fortnightly

Kensington and Chelsea

Start Date: 1^st April 2025
Cost: £75.90 (£55.90 concession)
Frequency: Fortnightly (Wednesdays)

Barking & Dagenham

Start Dates: 17^th March 2025 (Week 1 Collections), 24^th March 2025 (Week 2 Collections)
End Date: 28^th November 2025 (Week 1 Collections), 5^th December (Week 2 Collections)
Frequency: Fortnightly
Cost: £50

Hammersmith & Fulham

Frequency: Weekly
Cost: £90
Note: Pause over Christmas

Richmond upon Thames

Collection Dates: 8^th May, 22^nd May, 5^th June
Cost: £36 – £90
Note: Dates vary based on your location

Harrow

Start Date: 31^st March 2025 (if signed up by 17 March)
Cost: £34.50 – £69.

Barnet

Start Date: 3^rd May 2025
Frequency: Fortnightly
Cost: £100

Hounslow

Subscription Period: 1^st April 2025 – 31^st March 2026
Cost: £75/year or £37.50 for those on Council Tax Reduction

Tower Hamlets

Start Date: 1^st April 2025
Info: Moving towards separate food and garden waste collections.

Setting Out Your Garden Waste the Right Way

To ensure your garden waste is collected without difficulty, follow these basic steps. Here is how to set it out properly so your collection goes seamlessly:

Utilise your council-issued brown bin or official white garden waste sacks.
Place them outside your residence by 7:00 am on your scheduled pick-up day.
Ensure they are no more than a metre from your front door at your registered address.

Point to Ponder: Overflowing piles won’t be picked up. If it is not inside your bin or bags, it will have to wait for another day, or an alternative solution will be provided.

What Can and Cannot Be Collected in Garden Waste

Comprehending what is allowed in your garden waste bin guarantees seamless collection and prevents contamination. Here is a simple analysis:

✔️ What Can Be Collected?

Grass Cuttings
Weeds
Dead Flowers
Garden Prunings (such as trimmed hedges and branches)
Leaves and Bark

❌ What Cannot Be Collected?

Soil or Rubble
Plant Pots (plastic, ceramic, or clay)
Stones or Gravel
Large Tree Cuttings or Logs
Food Waste
General Household Rubbish

Ensure that only accepted items are included to prevent delays or missed collections. Overfilled or contaminated bins might be left behind by your council’s waste crews.

How to Report a Missed Bin Collection?

Even with the great preparation, missed collections can happen now and then. If you have left your garden waste bin out on time and it is still full after collection day, do not panic—the following are a few simple steps you can take.

First, ensure to recheck your collection calendar. It is astonishingly common to mix up weeks or put the bin out on the wrong day, specifically when schedules change with the seasons.
If your bin was definitely out on the accurate date and still was not emptied, your next move must be to get in touch with your local council’s waste collection crew. Many boroughs now offer digital forms or portals where you can swiftly log a missed collection—no need to spend hours on the phone.
Once reported, councils generally reschedule the pickup or advise when extra bags can be left out next. Meanwhile, be sure to keep your garden waste visible and accessible to prevent additional delays.
Still not resolved? If the problem keeps happening or is not managed appropriately, you have every right to raise a complaint through your council’s formal procedure. Remain well-mannered, but persistent.

How to Prevent Missed Bin Collections?

Even though reporting is straightforward, prevention is always better. The key is being fully informed and organised, particularly during peak gardening months when bins fill up fast.

Begin by signing up for text or email alerts from your local authority. These notifications are very useful for last-minute changes, specifically around holidays or during council strikes.
Ensure that everyone in the household is aware of the routine. Whether it is Tuesday mornings or alternate Thursdays, consistency helps. And if memory is not your strong point, set alarms or download a reminder app—it is more uncomplicated than forgetting and being stuck with two weeks’ worth of hedge clippings.
When setting out your bin, position it in a visible and unobstructed spot—generally right at the edge of your property. Council teams typically work on tight routes and schedules, so please refrain from blocking access with cars or bins concealed behind hedges.
Adhere to the instructions on what you can and cannot include in the bin. Overfilled bins or unacceptable materials can result in them being left behind. Lastly, ensure the lid is shut tight. A secure bin not only avoids spills but also deters curious wildlife.

To Conclude!

Keeping abreast of garden waste collection dates can save you a lot of stress. Whether you are clearing autumn leaves or planting summer blooms, check your council’s website, subscribe early, and note your particular collection days.

Always keep in mind that a little planning now will guarantee you are not left with overflowing garden bins coming spring.

At Waste Collectors, we are dedicated to aiding individuals in keeping their gardens green and their waste management streamlined. Whether you are an experienced gardener or just starting, we are here to support your efforts in retaining an appealing and viable exterior space.

Happy gardening!