Garden Waste Permits Frequently Asked Questions

How will my collection crew know I have paid for garden waste to be collected?

Once payment has been received, your permit will be posted out and needs to be attached to the back of your brown bin under the handles. Each permit will detail the property address for which the permit was purchased.

Collection crews will only empty garden waste from brown bins which display a valid garden waste permit. A permit is not required for brown bins containing only food waste.

What happens if I have paid for a permit and my brown bin collection is missed?

No refunds or part refunds will be given for missed collections.

Missed collections will be dealt with as per our Recycling and Waste Service Standards which can be found at Recycling & Waste Services Customer Service Standards

Collection errors or other conditions beyond the Council's control can result in service disruption or missed collections. The Council shall not be liable to the Customer for failure to perform the Services, however in such circumstance the Council will publicise any service disruption on its website at Bin Collection Daily Updates and will aim to return to empty your bin within the timescale advised. The householder should leave their wheeled bin out at the kerbside until the advised time and the Council with endeavour to return and empty the bin. If wheeled bins are not collected within this time, householders are advised to please return the bin(s) to their regular storage area and re-present on the next scheduled collection day for uplift, conditions permitting.

If the contents of wheeled bins are not uplifted due to waste being tightly lodged or frozen, the contents will not be collected until the next scheduled collection day. The householder must ensure that the waste is freed or dislodged before re-presenting.

Can I buy a permit at any point throughout the year?

Householders wishing to participate in the Garden Waste Collection Service from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025 can purchase a permit throughout this period. The one-off annual charge of which allows up to 2 bins per household, will apply regardless of when in the year the permit is purchased; all permits will expire on 31 May 2025. Please be aware that it may take up to 21 days for a permit to be delivered.

Can I cancel a permit?

Permits can be cancelled within 14 days of purchase to receive a full refund, thereafter no refunds or part refunds will be given.

To exercise the right to cancel within the 14 day period, you must inform the Council of your decision to cancel the contract by means of a clear statement made either using the online cancellation process  or by letter sent to West Lothian Council, Recycling and Waste Services, Whitehill Service Centre, 4 Inchmuir Road, Bathgate, EH48 2EP before the cancellation period has expired.

If a permit has been issued prior to the cancellation notice request being received by the Council, the householder will be liable for the reasonable costs incurred in returning the permit to the Council. In this instance, a refund will be issued upon receipt of the returned permit.

If I am on the garden maintenance service, do I still have to pay for a permit?

If you are on the garden maintenance service, the council will continue to bag all garden waste (grass and hedge cuttings) and remove these items. You will not require to purchase a permit as the council is not using your brown bin.

If you opt to use your brown bin for other garden waste such as flower beds you are maintaining yourself or have a third party maintaining, on your behalf, you will require to purchase a permit for the collection crew to empty your brown bin.

What happens to collections over the festive period?

You can view, download or print your bin collection calendars at Bin Collection Calendar Dates.

Details of any changes to the festive uplift schedule will be available in December on Household Recycling and Waste.

How do you know that the permit will not be stolen from a brown bin and used by someone else?

The permit will detail the property for which the permit has been purchased. The permit will then be attached to the appropriate brown bin by the householder.

Permits spoil when attempted to be removed, leaving "Paid 2024/25" behind on the bin, ensuring the permit cannot be used by someone else, and retaining proof that you have purchased a permit for this year's scheme