IF YOU live in Bracknell Forest and you have your garden waste collected, you pay one of the highest rates in the country.
A study found how much every British local authority charges for its garden waste bins and for its collection service.
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Bracknell Forest residents must shell out £36 if they want a brown bin for their garden waste, and an extra £50 for the council’s collection service.
A combined fee of £86 means residents pay the 6th highest amount for their garden waste bins and their collection service in the UK.
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Dorothy Hayes, environment boss at Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) said: “As a council, we provide many statutory services for our residents.
“Collecting garden waste is a non-statutory service, however in Bracknell Forest, we do provide this service for those residents who wish to make use of it, for a nominal fee.
“The fee goes towards the cost of collecting the waste.
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“Initially, residents wishing to make use of the service need to purchase a brown bin at a cost of £36, which covers the cost of the bin itself and delivery, as well as paying the annual fee resulting in a one-off payment of £86.
“This then reduces to £50 annually for a 240L bin and £46 for the smaller 140L bin.
“Alternatively, if this isn’t a viable option for residents, they can visit the Longshot Lane Recycling Centre where they can recycle their garden waste for free.”
Research from the BBC found 140 councils provide a free garden waste collection, with the average charge being £31.
Neighbouring authority Wokingham Borough Council charges £60 for its bin and its service, Surrey Heath does not ask for a bin fee but requires £45 for collection, and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead demands £37 altogether.
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Anthony O'Sullivan, the managing director of Gardeners Club, told the BBC the charge was a "quiet green garden tax”.
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