Q. How do I subscribe to the garden waste collection service?
A. It’s quick and easy – go online (www.ryedale.gov.uk), or call the 24 hour Freephone on 0800 035 1566. If you would like to pay by paypoint or at the Post Office please call 01653 600 666 to request a barcoded letter which you can use to pay by this method. Please keep your receipt as proof of purchase.
Q. What will the cost be?
A. For a 2023/24 licence the charge will be £43.50. The cost is set for the year so it makes sense to join early and benefit from the maximum number of collections you can receive. The licence is valid from April to March with no collections during the winter months of Dec, Jan & Feb.
Q. Why is there a price increase this year?
Subscriptions for the garden waste service have been frozen for the past 6 years. North Yorkshire Council has made the decision to increase charges to cover additional costs associated with the delivery of the service due to the increase in the rate of inflation.
Q. Why are charges not included in Council Tax?
A. Collecting garden waste is not a service that local authorities are under a duty to provide. As with other discretionary services provided by the Council, a separate charge is made if residents opt in.
Q. I think my bin has been missed on collection day. What do I need to do?
A. Our vehicles have Incab and CCTV technology which provides them with the information about what properties to collect waste from and the system is updated daily.
Q. Are there any exemptions or concessions?
A. There are no exemptions or concessions, regardless of those in receipt of benefits or for senior citizens.
Q. What happens if the bin is at a village hall, place of religious worship or other charity?
A. The service will be chargeable for all these types of organisations, as with domestic properties.
Q. Can I have more than one bin?
A. Yes, you can subscribe to more than one bin. However, you will need to buy a separate subscription for each bin, and let us know if you require any additional bins.
Q. Can I subscribe midway through the year?
A. To guarantee that you receive the full number of collections, we would encourage you to subscribe before 1st April 2023. The charge is a fixed annual cost and reductions cannot be made for fewer collections.
Q. How will the collection crew know to empty my bin?
A. If you subscribe to the service you will receive a sticker licence, which needs to remain firmly attached to your brown wheeled bin. This will be used to confirm that the bin is registered to your address. Bins without licences will not be emptied. You will need a licence for each wheeled bin you present for emptying. Please ensure that your brown bin is presented the night before to ensure collection. Vehicles are unable to return back to an address.
Q. What if my licence is lost, stolen or damaged?
A. Contact the Council as soon as possible for a replacement.
Q. Will my collection day change?
A. Some collection days may change. You will be notified in advance.
Q. Why are we changing from a tag to a sticker licence?
A. The majority of the districts within North Yorkshire already use stickers for their garden waste service. So to be consistent across the new Council’s area, a decision was made to change to stickers.
Q. What can I put in my brown bin?
A. Your garden waste bin is for the following:
Grass cuttings, windfalls, flowers and plants, hedge clippings, leaves and bark, weeds, hay, straw, small branches and prunings. Please remove as much soil as possible from your garden waste.
Q. What CAN’T I put in my brown bin?
A. The following should NOT go in your garden waste bin:
Meat, fish, cooked food, dog or cat wastes, pre-treated wood, stones and rubble, disposable nappies, general household rubbish.
Q. What happens if I move house?
A. Please contact Customer Services on 01653 600 666 for advice.
Q. I share my brown bin with my neighbour, can we share the service charge?
A. Yes, though full payment is still required and the bin will need to be registered and collected at one address. If one of the residents moves home, please let us know so we can update the subscription details.
Q. What do I do if I use compostable bags instead of a brown bin?
A. If you are registered as being eligible for an assisted collection (or if your property is not suitable to accommodate a wheeled bin) you will be issued with a year’s supply of compostable liners instead of a licence when you subscribe. These can be put out on collection day (or collected from an agreed point, for those on an assisted collection).
Q. What will happen to my brown bin if I choose not to subscribe to the scheme?
A. Your wheeled bin remains the property of Ryedale District Council. If you are not going to subscribe it is recommended that you retain your brown bin in case you change your mind in the future. However, if you would like the brown bin removing, please visit our website or contact us on (01653) 600666 to arrange for it to be collected. Garden waste must not be put in your bin for general (non-recyclable) waste.
Q. Richmondshire Council has a smaller bin. Is this an option for Ryedale residents?
A. No. The standard size of bin has been agreed as a 240L bin for the NYC area. This is the size that is currently used in the Ryedale area therefore the bins in Richmondshire will be replaced with the larger size for the 2024-25 season.
Q. Scarborough residents are being offered a discount to £38 if they purchase their licence in advance of 1st April. Is this being applied to Ryedale and other areas?
A. No. The period the licence covers in Scarborough is different to Ryedale. When a Ryedale resident is buying a licence in March, they are buying for a service for April and onwards. Scarborough residents are buying a licence in March for a service starting before 1 April.
Q. What are my other options if I don’t want to subscribe?
A. Low cost compost bins can be purchased online at www.northyorks.gov.uk/composting. If you already compost at home, but still generate more garden waste than you can manage, excess garden waste can be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (skip site).