To ensure that residents can continue to enjoy a free garden and food waste collection service throughout the year, Derby City Council will be changing brown bin collections over winter.

Over winter, far less garden waste is produced across the city. From 27 November, brown bins will be collected once a month until the end of March 2024. This means there will be four less collections in total.

Reducing the service over winter allows the Council to save money, so the service can continue to be free for residents. It also reduces the Council's carbon footprint by having fewer vehicles on the road, supporting the target of becoming net-zero by 2035 and reducing emissions.

To accommodate an expected rise in waste over the festive period, bins will be collected in the fortnight before and after the Christmas week.

Brown bins will not be collected between the following dates:

  • Monday 27 November to Sunday 10 December
  • Monday 25 December to Sunday 31 December
  • Monday 15 January 2024 to Sunday 28 January 2024
  • Monday 12 February 2024 to Sunday 25 February 2024
  • Monday 11 March 2024 to Sunday 24 March 2024

The easiest way for residents to see their bin collections is to check the bin-day look-up tool.

A reduced collection schedule was approved as a money-saving move during the budget-setting process for the Council’s current Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and is expected to save £52,000 per year.

Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa, Cabinet Member for Communities and Streetpride commented:

“We know this is a change for residents and may be frustrating for Derby’s avid gardeners. However, because of the council's financial situation, last year's budget setting process made the decision to reduce brown bin collections over the winter period. I’m pleased to say that although there will be four fewer collections over winter, the service will remain free for all residents.

“We’ve accommodated the pre- and post-Christmas waste increase by providing extra collections at these times. I’d also encourage everyone to try composting, which is even better for the environment, as well as making simple changes to reduce any food waste.”

Residents who think they will continue to fill their bin each fortnight can request an additional free brown bin, on the Council website.

Further information about composting and reducing food waste can be found on the Derby City Council website.