‘Green bins’ subscriptions open at twice the price of 2019

Powys County Council has this morning announced that its green bin garden waste recycling service is now open for renewal, just days after it was confirmed that an extra tenner could be added to the cost this year.

Collections are due to start from the beginning of March, with a year’s subscription costing £60 for the large 240-litre green bin, up from £50 last year, and doubling the introductory cost of £30 in 2019.

Despite the hike, Powys County Council still said that the 230 collections at £3 a time represent value for money and explained that all previous subscribers have been notified with the chance to sign up for another season.

How Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, is explaining the price hike:

“We appreciate that price increases are never welcome. However, the 2025 subscription has seen a similar price increase to last year due to the difficult financial decisions the council continues to face when balancing the budget. This necessary evil will allow us to cover costs and continue to offer this kerbside collection to our residents throughout the county whilst also protecting the core service provision of the council.

“The £60 annual charge is in line with several other authorities who provide this service and covers 20 collections throughout the year. When the inconvenience of transporting green waste to a household recycling centre along with fuel costs are taken into account, the service does still provide a good option for residents.

“The 2025 price is based on the increase being approved by Full Council in the coming weeks, but with the gardening season soon to be underway, we did not want to delay starting collections whilst we waited for a final decision. Should it not be approved, subscribers who have already signed up to the service will be refunded the difference.”

What you need to know:

If you are re-subscribing for another year, you will receive a sticker to place on your green wheeled bin to help indicate to the crew that you have signed up for the 2025 collections. New subscribers to the service will have their green wheeled bin delivered within 10 working days, so make sure you sign up early to benefit from as many of the scheduled collections as possible.

You can subscribe now by visiting www.powys.gov.uk/gardenwaste or by calling 01597 827465. 

After subscribing for the 2025 season, please remember to check your collection day – it may have changed from last year: https://en.powys.gov.uk/binday

Residents not subscribing to the service will still be able to compost their garden waste at home or take it to one of the five household recycling centres in Powys.