Barking and Dagenham Council is encouraging residents to prepare for the spring gardening season by signing up to the borough’s Green Garden Waste collection service.

The popular service makes it easy for residents to dispose of their garden waste responsibly. Collections include flowers, weeds, leaves, grass cuttings, twigs and hedge trimmings, allowing residents to keep their gardens in shape while the Council ensures the waste is recycled.

A yearly subscription costs £50, providing 19 fortnightly collections between March and December for anyone who signs up before Saturday 14 February (Valentine’s Day).

Residents can register online at lbbd.gov.uk/green-garden-waste. Those who need help signing up can visit their local library or Community Hub.

A dedicated Green Garden Waste payment line is also available on 020 8227 3580, where Customer Service Officers can take payment over the phone. This number is for payments only and cannot be used for general enquiries.

Composting: an eco‑friendly alternative

Residents are also being encouraged to consider home composting – a low‑cost, environmentally friendly way to reuse kitchen and garden waste and create nutrient‑rich soil.

Composting not only reduces household waste but also provides a rewarding, sustainable gardening option. Residents can learn more and take a free online course by visiting lbbd.gov.uk/composting.

Recycling reminders

The Council also reminds residents that many everyday household items can be recycled through regular bin collections. Guidance on what can be recycled, and which bin to use, is available at lbbd.gov.uk/what-goes-in-your-bins.

Councillor Kashif Haroon, Cabinet Member for Public Realm and Climate Change, said: “Keeping our borough clean is a shared effort, and services like our Green Garden Waste collection service make it easier for people to do their bit.

By recycling garden waste, or trying home composting, we can make a real difference to the environment while keeping our outdoor spaces looking good.”