Garden Waste FAQs

In partnership with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, we can collect your garden waste for a fee.

Recycling your garden waste has never been easier. For a fee, you will be provided with a wheeled bin, which we will empty weekly. Your garden waste will then be taken to a local site in Essex, where it will be turned into compost. You will find below answers to frequently asked questions regarding the service. If you still have questions about the garden waste service after reading this page, please fill out this form.

General questions

How do I sign up or renew my service?

Please visit the dedicated web portal where you can sign up and renew your service. You can also call the Veolia Contact Centre on  0203 567 6955 Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5pm. If our telephone lines are busy please fill out the form on this link or leave a message with your contact details so we can call you back. We will call you back within a maximum of two working days.

How much does it cost?

For around £1.58 (or £1.41 if paid by Direct Debit) a week we will empty your wheeled garden waste bin weekly.

From the 1st of April 2024 the price of the service will be:

£82.00 for 12 months if you pay by credit/ debit card, cheque or postal order (payable to Veolia). We also offer the option to pay by Direct Debit, the cost of the payment is £73.50. New customers will also be charged a one-off payment of £34.50 for the cost of the bin.

All subscriptions are valid for 12 months from the date of registering for the service. Direct Debits are automatically renewed each year.

Alternatively you can buy Veolia’s compostable sacks via our online portal or from several outlets across the borough. A roll of ten sacks costs £12.

How long does the service last for?

All subscriptions are valid for 12 months from the date of registering for the service. You can also pay by Direct Debit online, saving you time and the hassle of having to renew in future years.

How will I know that my current subscription comes to its end?

You will be contacted either by post or bin hanger to remind you that your annual subscription is due to end and you will be provided with instructions on how to renew your subscription. You will be able to re-subscribe via our portal or alternatively complete and return a payment form with Direct Debit instruction or a payment by debit or credit card.  Direct Debits are automatically renewed each year.

How will the crews know I have subscribed/ renewed my service?

Please note that printed permits are no longer issued. Instead, Veolia uses on-board technology in our vehicles to identify customer addresses.

My bin has not been collected, what should I do?

If we haven’t left a note, you can report a missed collection via MySouthend on the Council’s website.
If your bin has not been collected and we have left a bin hanger asking you to re-subscribe, it means that your subscription has run out and that you need to renew it if you want your collections to continue. You will be able to re-subscribe via our portal. Alternatively telephone us on 0203 567 6955 to request a Direct Debit payment form or to make a payment by debit or credit card.

What can go in my bin or sacks?

what goes in the garden waste bin

What happens to my waste?

What happens if I decide not to renew my subscription?

If you choose not to renew your subscription before it runs out and you haven’t paid by direct debit, we will assume that you no longer wish to receive the service. If this is not the case please contact us. If you decide later in the year that you wish to recommence the service you will be able to do this.
If you have paid by direct debit and want to stop your subscription, please contact us. You will also need to cancel with your bank.
If you stop your subscription, your bin will remain at your property but will no longer be collected. If you change your mind at a later date and wish to reinstate the service please contact us to arrange.

I don’t want to subscribe to the garden waste collection service, what can I do with my garden waste?

If you do not wish to sign up for a garden waste collection, you can take your garden waste to one of your local household waste recycling centres at Stock Road and Leigh Marshes. Please check whether the sites are affected by Coronavirus restrictions before visiting. 


Another option could be home composting.  This is a great way to help the environment! Composting at home reduces the need to transport your waste and you can use the compost you make on your own garden!   

Can I buy more than one bin or more sacks?

Yes you can buy as many bins or sacks as you like, depending on the available space at your property. Bins or sacks need to be easily accessible by the crew and must not block the public highway. However please note that this service is not for commercial use, only for garden waste generated by residents at their own property.

How frequent will the collections be?

The collections will be made weekly, throughout the whole year.

If I pay for the service then change my mind, can I get a refund?

You can choose to cancel the service within 14 days and get a full refund.

If I realise I need extra or less capacity once my service has commenced, how I can arrange this?

Please contact us and we can arrange this for you. Additional bins or sacks will incur another charge, however we cannot give refunds on bins or sacks that are no longer wanted (unless it is within the 14 days cooling off period).

Can I share my bin or sacks with my neighbour?

Yes this is possible, however the bin(s) or sacks need to be kept on the premises of the property that has paid for the bin(s) or sacks, otherwise the crew will not be able to collect them. We will only be able to deal with the person paying the bill.

Do I need to present my garden waste for collection every week?

No you can present your garden waste for collection on your assigned day as frequently or infrequently as desired, however the annual cost of the service is the same.

Where should I present my garden waste bin and/or sacks for collection?

Please present your bin or sacks as close to the edge of your property (by the gate) as is safely practical, i.e. the nearest point to the collection vehicle. However you must not leave bins or sacks on the public highway - they must remain within your property boundary.

Bin collections

When will I receive my new bin?

Your garden waste bin will be delivered to your property within 5 working days following your subscription. 

Can I leave additional waste next to my bin?

No please do not leave any waste next to your bin as it will not be collected. Your bin lid should also be able to be closed. If you are regularly generating more garden waste than you have capacity for you may wish to consider purchasing another bin or more sacks.

What happens if my bin gets lost, damaged or stolen?

There is a charge of £34.50 to have your bin replaced.

What happens if your crew have lost/damaged my bin – will you replace it?

The collection crew will report any instances of bins being damaged or falling into the waste truck. We will then replace your lost or damaged bin free of charge within five working days.

I have steps leading up to my property, can I still receive a bin?

You will only be able to receive a bin if you can place it out for collection at the bottom of your steps, as our crews are unable to collect bins if they have to take them up and down any steps due to Health & Safety regulations. We can send an officer to assess your property and determine how your collection can be made.

Can I spray/sticker/paint my door number on my bin?

Yes you can personalise your bin in this way in order for it to be identifiable to your address.

Can I take my bin with me if I move within the borough?

If moving house within the borough the subscription can be transferred. Please call us to discuss.

Is there a weight limit for the amount of waste I can place in my bin?

Yes the weight of your bin must not exceed 50kg. Please do not overload your bins or sacks as if they are deemed too heavy they will not be collected. Please refer to the list of items that can and cannot be placed in your bin or sacks. If you are still regularly producing too much waste you may wish to consider purchasing additional bins or more sacks.

Sack collections

How does the biodegradable sack service work?

If you feel you do not have space for a bin, biodegradable sacks are available. However, where possible, we recommend using a bin as this is the easiest and most efficient way of storing garden waste. The sacks will be composted along with your waste. You can buy our compostable sacks via our online portal or from several outlets across the borough. A roll of ten sacks costs £12. Please visit the Council's website for the list of outlets from which you can buy the sacks.
 

How many sacks can I place out for collection?

You can place out as many sacks as you wish on your collection. However please note that if you run out of sacks you will need to purchase another set of 10 sacks for £12.