Shropshire Council reveals 62,000 households sign up to controversial garden waste scheme - earning approximately nearly £3.5 million

With it costing each household £56 a year to sign up for the new service, it's estimated that, from that number, Shropshire Council will have been paid nearly £3.5 million in total so far.

The new service came into effect on Monday, and payment covers a period from November 4 this year until October 31 in 2025.  

The cash-strapped local authority has reminded residents that they need to subscribe to the new waste collection service if they would like to have their garden bin emptied. A payment window is open until March 31 next year, and residents must have signed up by this date if they want to have their bin emptied in the spring and summer months.

Food waste collections have also been suspended as the council cannot charge for this service. However, the local authority plans to develop and introduce a new weekly service from April 2026. 

Shropshire Council’s deputy Leader and Cabinet member with responsibility for waste management, Ian Nellins said: "I’m really pleased with the number of people that have subscribed so far and I want to thank everyone that has signed up. Each subscription is generating income for the council that will ensure we can continue to provide essential services for those who need them.

“As the new service has now begun people need to subscribe as soon as possible if they want us to continue emptying their garden waste bin. It’s not too late to do so and I encourage anyone that wants to keep using the service to sign up by visiting the council website or calling the subscription number.”

The council also backed its decision to introduce a charge for the service, adding: "Some 80 per cent of English councils also charge for garden waste collections, and many have been doing so for several years."

Shropshire Council posted a map of surrounding councils that have begun charging for the service. 

Further information about the garden waste collection service can be found on Shropshire Council's website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/gardenwaste.