North Yorkshire has been ranked among the most expensive councils in Yorkshire for garden waste collections, according to new research.
A study by garden waste collection experts Divert found North Yorkshire Council charges £52 a year for its garden waste collection service, making it joint fifth most expensive in the region alongside City of York Council.
Only Sheffield (£66.58), Bradford (£62), Kirklees (£56.65) and Rotherham (£53) charge more.
The full regional rankings are:
- 1. Sheffield City Council – £66.58
- 2. Bradford City Council – £62
- 3. Kirklees Borough Council – £56.65
- 4. Rotherham Borough Council – £53
- 5= North Yorkshire Council – £52
- 5= City of York Council – £52
- 7. North East Lincolnshire Council – £43.50
- 8= Barnsley Borough Council – Free
- 8= Doncaster Borough Council – Free
- 8= East Riding of Yorkshire Council – Free
- 8= Hull City Council – Free
- 8= Leeds City Council – Free
- 8= North Lincolnshire Council – Free
- 8= Wakefield City Council – Free
The research also found only two councils in Yorkshire and the Humber offer discounted garden waste services.
Rotherham provides a reduced rate for Rothercard holders on a first bin, while City of York offers a 50% discount on one bin sticker for eligible residents receiving Council Tax Support or a Severe Mental Impairment council tax exemption.
Across Yorkshire and the Humber, the average annual cost of a garden waste collection service is £27.55, making it the third cheapest region in the UK overall.
John Verity, garden waste collection expert at Divert, said:
"Garden waste collection charges have become a real postcode lottery for residents across the UK, as in some areas, households can have their garden waste collected kerbside, whereas others require a separate subscription to be taken out."
"With more people spending time in their gardens over the summer, it is worth checking your council's terms before signing up to an annual subscription."
He added:
"Households with only a small amount of garden waste may find home composting, sharing a bin with a neighbour where their council allows it, or using a local household recycling centre works out better.
"But where the waste is coming from a business activity, property clearance, landlord maintenance or a commercial gardener, it should not be placed into a domestic garden waste collection.
"In those cases, they need to use a licensed waste carrier or a commercial waste service and keep the right paperwork."
Nationally, the South East has the highest average annual charge at £72.14, while Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where councils do not charge separately for garden waste collections.
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