Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice
From 24 October 2025 you will no longer be able to request any new, additional or replacement 2025 Garden Waste Permits.
2026 Garden Waste Permits can be purchased from 5 November 2025 for services to commence from 1 January 2026.
The charge to have your garden waste collected in 2026 will be £43.50 per brown bin.
The brown bin is normally collected every two weeks on the same day as your blue bin (and bag) and should be put out for collection by 7am.
Check your bin collection days - There is also a downloadable pdf calendar available.
What can you put in the brown bin?
There is an annual charge per brown bin. The charge will apply at whichever point you sign up in the year and will expire on 31 December, there are no pro rata discounts or refunds given. Monthly payments or direct debit payments are not an option.
Additional or replacement brown bins will be charged at the same annual rate with a one-off charge if you require a brown bin to be delivered.
Each permit lasts for one year from 1 January to 31 December. You will need to re-subscribe each year to receive this service. If you have registered your email and/or mobile number with us you will receive a reminder notification towards the end of each year.
If you do not have an email address or mobile phone number registered with us, please visit this page from November each year to register for the following year or call 01785 619402.
Permits for each new year will be a different colour or design and will need to replace your old one on the bin. The collection crews will know which properties have subscribed via their in-cab devices.
Ensure that your permit is placed on the rear of your brown bin under the handles.
Planning on moving house
Moving within Stafford Borough - you can transfer your brown bin permit free of charge, just let us know the new address and the moving date by contacting 01785 619402 or info@staffordbc.gov.uk.
Moving outside of Stafford Borough - no refund will be available for any subscription that has been paid for that calendar year.
What to do with garden waste if not using the brown bin
Garden waste can be taken to a Recycling and Waste - Household Waste Recycling Centre (Tip) or by using a home compost bin.
Why we charge
Councils are not required by law to provide garden waste collections. The charge enables the service to be financially supported and ensures that we can continue to provide the service rather than it being stopped.
We receive no income from the sale of the compost.
Sharing a bin
You can share the cost of the brown bin with a neighbour but you must decide who will be responsible for paying the charge and who will be responsible for putting the bin out to avoid a missed collection.
No longer wish to use the brown bin service
The subscription isn’t set for automatic renewal, if you don't wish to continue your subscription your current scheduled collection will stop on 31 December and you do not need to take any further action.
You can keep the brown bin for use around the garden or garage, we will not be removing unwanted brown bins as they are relevant to the property and need to be present should there be a change of occupier who may wish to subscribe to the service.
The brown bins need to remain at properties in case of a future service change.
Your online account
If you applied for a garden waste permit for 2025 you do not need to set up a new account and should use your previous log in details..
If this is the first time you have applied for a permit you will be required to set up a new account - please follow the instructions online to do this.
Email info@staffordbc.gov.uk or call 01785 619402 if you require assistance with this process.