Garden waste collections
Please note: Due to a print error on some of the garden waste invoices that have been sent out for April 2023 renewals, there are different numbers on the front and back. Customers should only use the number on the FRONT of the invoice to make payment. We apologise for this and any inconvenience caused.
Is your Garden Waste subscription up to date? If you no longer want the green bin you need to advise us, as described in our terms & conditions (below). If you're struggling to pay, please talk to us on 01273 263050.
We can save you from trips to the tip by collecting your garden waste and taking it to be turned into compost:
Find out about:
Garden waste wheelie bin collections
Garden waste bin collection subscriptions cost £85 per year until 31st March 2023. The cost of the subscription will rise to £89 from 1st April 2023*. The service includes:
- a 240 litre green lidded wheelie bin, embossed with three dots
- weekly collection (apart from during the first two weeks following Christmas and New Year)
- taking your garden waste to be processed into graded compost
* This includes all existing customers whose subscription renews on or after the 1st April 2023, and all new accounts signed-up from that date.
How to use your garden waste bin
Please make sure:
- your bin is ready for collection by 6:30am on your collection day
- your bin is left on the kerbside nearest your home, and is accessible from the road
- your bin is not blocking a pathway
- all your garden waste is in your bin. Additional garden waste left next to your bin will not be collected, unless it is in one of our garden waste sacks
- Find out what can go in your garden waste bin
Terms & Conditions: For further information about our Garden Waste Collection service see our Terms & Conditions. These are updated from time to time, you can read the latest version here:
Apply for a garden waste bin
Online:
By phone: Call us on 01903 851729
By post: Send a covering letter with your name, address, contact details and how many bins you require along with a cheque made payable to Adur District Council to:
- Garden Waste,
Recycling, Refuse and Waste,
Adur & Worthing Council Services,
9 Commerce Way,
Lancing Business Park,
Lancing,
West Sussex,
BN15 8TA
Application forms are also available to collect from Portland House, Worthing Town Hall and The Shoreham Centre.
Renew your garden waste bin subscription
If you have received a renewal invoice please click on the link below to renew. You will need to enter your invoice number which will be listed on your invoice and starts with a '9':
Garden waste sacks
Note: Only AWCS garden waste sacks with our logo on will be collected (see photo). Other sacks/bags will not be taken.
- Garden waste sacks can be purchased for £1.25 per sack until the 31st March 2023 from various retailers across Adur and Worthing. From the 1st April 2023, the price of a garden waste sack, purchased from retailers, will rise to £1.50.
- Available to everyone - not just Garden Waste Service subscribers
- Fully biodegradable
- Collected weekly
- One AWCS biodegradable garden sack holds 75 litres of waste
- Each sack is 80cm x 60cm x 25cm
- Find out what can go in your garden waste sack (below)
Please make sure your garden waste sack(s) are:
- ready for collection by 6:30am on your collection day
- left on the kerbside nearest your home, and accessible and clearly visible from the road
What can go in your garden waste bin or sack
Yes please:
- grass cuttings
- weeds
- prunings
- flowers
- leaves
- plants
- hedge and tree cuttings (not exceeding 100mm diameter)
No thank you:
- seed trays
- plastic plant pots
- garden wire
- any plastic, glass or metal
- gravel, stones or soil
- food (cooked or uncooked)
- animal faeces (eg dog, cat, fox, etc)
- rabbit/guinea pig bedding, etc
- Japanese Knotweed - for advice on how to dispose of this safely please see the GOV.UK website
- anything else you would normally put in your waste bin or recycling bin
Find out about:
Home composting
Home composting breaks down garden and some food waste (such as fruit and vegetable peelings, apple cores, etc) turning it into compost for your garden and reducing what gets sent to landfill.
We offer discounts on a range of home composters and accessories through our partnership with Get Composting - to find out more:
You can find out more about home composting, including what can be composted, here:
Please note: You must not compost Japanese Knotweed. For information on Japanese Knotweed, including how to identify it, prevent its spread, and dispose of it safely, see:
Garden Waste Service Credits 2022 (due to strike action)
Background information
- Service interrupted (due to industrial action) from 14th March 2022
- Service restarted 3rd May 2022 - seven weeks in total
- All customers affected by the interruption will receive a credit - these service credits will be automatically applied
- The maximum service credit to be applied to customer bills is £11.90
- The maximum service credit is based on a 50-week year, where each week costs £1.70 - therefore seven weeks' missed service equals £11.90
- Customers need to take no action
- You will be notified in writing, where necessary of any changes applied to your account(s)
Frequently asked questions
Q. I've received my bill this year (2023) at the new rate (£89.00) and I notice that I have a credit for last year's strike period. Is this correct and do I need to do anything?
- No. You paid your bill in full, in 2022 and we didn't compensate you for the strike period. As your account renewed, we credited the amount owed on your new bill. You don't need to do anything.
Q: I paid for the service last year but I don't want to continue using it. Do I need to do anything?
- Yes, you need to call us on 01903 851729 or write to us at gardenwaste@adur-worthing.gov.uk to tell us you no longer want the service or we will automatically invoice you for another year as per the terms & conditions.
Q. I haven't received a bill yet this year and my garden waste service was interrupted by the strike. Will I get a bill with the service credit applied automatically?
- Yes. Your next bill will be issued when due, with the service credit applied to your bill if applicable.
Q. I pay my subscription by instalment, do I need to take any action, and how will my credit be applied?
- No. We will automatically adjust your Direct Debit payments to include any credit due on your account.
Q. I have renewed my garden waste service (paid in full) and know that I will be moving out of the Adur and Worthing area before the renewal in 2023 is due. How will I receive my credit?
- Please contact our Garden Waste Team when you can and we will refund any credit owing on your account, where applicable. Please include as much detail as you can including your name, account number (found on your invoice) and address. Please email:
Q. I have a question about the service that isn't answered here.
- You can read the terms and conditions for the service at:
- If you have any other questions please email:
Need assistance with this service?
Get in touch:
Garden Waste (including bin day queries)
01903 851729
Email this service (gardenwaste@adur-worthing.gov.uk)
Full contact details (Garden Waste (including bin day queries))
Page last updated: 16 March 2023