Residents in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse can now sign up for a new garden waste permit as part of changes to the councils’ subscribed collection service.

The updated scheme, launching on 1 April 2025, introduces an annual permit sticker system. Residents need to pay for their permit to ensure their garden waste collections continue without interruption.

The new payment system is now available online at www.southoxon.gov.uk/gardenwaste and www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/gardenwaste

Once they have purchased a permit, customers will receive a sticker through the post displaying their address which needs to be stuck to their garden waste bin lid to identify it as fully paid for and eligible for collection.

Customers now need to make an annual payment for a permit – this replaces the existing direct debit scheme. Everyone’s payment year will run from 1 April to 31 March each year. Every bin needs its own permit and customers will receive a new sticker annually each time they renew.

This kind of scheme is successfully offered by many other local authorities, including in neighbouring West Oxfordshire.

The permits will help the waste collection crews identify which bins are eligible to be emptied. This will ensure that only households that have paid for the service have their garden waste bins emptied. The changes are part of the councils’ ongoing work to improve the value of public services by streamlining payments and improving service efficiency.

Benefits to customers include a new online system so they can manage their account, renew their permit and change their details much more easily. This will also mean the councils can contact people quickly if there are any major disruptions to the service, such as during adverse weather. When customers pay for a permit, there will be a link to sign up for an account and the account sign-up is also available on the councils’ websites.

Full information is also available on the council websites and each existing customer will shortly receive a bin hanger flagging the changes. Support is available for any customer unable to pay online by contacting the council.

Cllr Sam James-Lawrie, South Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:  "The new payment system for our garden waste permits is now live. I’d encourage new and existing customers to visit our website today to buy their permit ready for the start of April.

“The option for an online account should also make it easier for customers and will mean that you no longer need to contact us if your bank account or any other details change. The new permit stickers will help us to make sure that only those who pay for the service, actually get collections, which we think is only fair, since this is an opt-in service.”

Cllr Mark Coleman, Vale of White Horse Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Waste, said: “If you are a keen gardener, you can now spring into action and get your garden waste permit for the year ahead. I’m confident the new permit scheme, combined with introducing online customer accounts, will make our popular, opt-in garden waste service even better for everyone.

“We do appreciate that any changes to a major service can initially be challenging so we will make sure all our customers are fully informed on all changes that are coming between now and 1 April 2025. There is also a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page on our website with further detailed information. We will also provide phone support to anyone unable to go online.”

An FAQ page covering all the changes is available on the garden waste section: South FAQ / Vale FAQ. The councils’ customer services team will also be on hand to assist with any queries customers have. Garden waste sack customers can find out more information on how the new permits will work for them within the FAQ page.