Rising costs blamed for increase in price of garden waste collection in Boston Borough

The cost of garden waste collection will increase in one part of Lincolnshire next year.

A significant rise in operating costs is being blamed for the price hike by Boston Borough Council.

From January, the new annual subscription charge for the garden waste collection service will increase by £5, from £45 to £50 for the first bin per year.

The cost of additional bins will go up from £20 to £30.

The authority says increasing costs include fuel, employee costs and the cost of vehicle maintenance/replacement.

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The new £50 price equates to £2.50 per collection.

Coun Callum Butler, portfolio holder for environmental services at Boston Borough Council, said: “Unfortunately, the cost of providing the brown bin garden waste collection service has risen substantially over the last 18 months, and is currently not covering its costs.

“I believe that those who do not use the service should not be subsidising through their council taxes.

“I fully appreciate that having to pay more for a service at a time when it feels everything is going up is not ideal, but it is a rise that is necessary to keep this service going.”

Garden waste collections run fortnightly from April to the end of November, commencing again in February to March.

Subscribers can dispose of loose green waste, grass cuttings, leaves, hedge and shrub trimmings, weeds and plants, without the need to take these items to the tip.

Residents who have previously signed up for the 2023/24 service will continue to receive their collections until end of March 2024.

The new 2024/25 service subscription lines are due to open in early January.

Current customers of the green waste service will receive an email from the council about the change to the subscription fee and terms and conditions of the service from Monday.