How to get rid of garden waste
Garden waste is heavy, bulky and seasonal: nothing for months, then far too much in one weekend. These are the realistic options.
The green bin
Fine for routine cuttings and a bag of leaves. It will not cover a hedge reduction, a lawn coming up, or anything with soil, timber or fencing in it — and in most London boroughs the collection is fortnightly at best.
The tip
Free at household reuse and recycling centres, but limited by what fits in your car, and many sites restrict soil, rubble and van loads. Several trips with a boot full of brambles adds up to an afternoon.
Collection
One visit, loose piles loaded for you, and no bagging needed. Worth it once the volume passes what a car can sensibly carry.
- Branches, prunings and hedge cuttings
- Leaves, weeds and grass
- Turf and soil (heavy — mention the quantity)
- Decking, garden timber and old fence panels
Watch the weight
Soil and turf are the heaviest garden waste there is. A full load is limited to 1.5 tonnes, so a large turf lift may need splitting across two loads. Say what you have up front and the price will not move.