Islington Council’s garden waste collection service, which is currently included in council tax, is set to change to a £75 annual permit system on 1 April.
The deadline to sign-up and receive the first collection is Friday 15 March.
Garden waste is currently collected by the council without the need for an additional charge. Under the forthcoming scheme, garden waste will be collected fortnightly, meaning each collection comes at a cost of £2.88. The permit costs £37.50 for those who receive Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support or Universal Credit, which equates to £1.44 per collection.
The arrival of the additional charge follows the passing of Islington’s 2024/25 budget, which has approved a 5% rise in council tax. As such, those who choose not to pay for a garden waste collection permit are paying more money for council services anyway.
In a statement about both the national and council budget, leader of the council Kaya Comer-Schwarz said, “Despite the continued lack of support and understanding from the Government, we will do everything we can to maintain our excellent public services. We delivered a balanced budget on 29 February to ensure we meet our ambitions, as set out in our Islington Together 2030 plan.”
Islington Council did not wish to provide comment on the garden waste permit, but their dedicated webpage states that “Before 1 April 2024, all residents were charged for garden waste collections through council tax, including many that do not have their own garden. At a time when council budgets are being stretched to the limit, introducing this charge means we can continue to provide this important service and that we only charge people that need collections.”
In Islington, many residences are without individual garden space. For example, according to 2021 census data, 81.8% of properties in Junction ward, north Islington, were flats.
Jo Murray, of the Islington Gardeners group, believes that the permit is a necessary development. “Those who have signed up have reluctantly agreed that it is probably necessary given council poverty,” she said, adding, “Most other local boroughs charge. We can’t really have an opinion in advance. Let’s see next year how it’s worked out.”
Nine boroughs still include garden waste collection as a free service, or as part of council tax, including neighbouring borough Hackney.
Islington Council have stated that the garden waste they collect will be composted at a commercial facility, for use at ‘local farms’. People who do not buy a permit can take it to Hornsey Road reuse and recycling centre for free, but only in a car.
