Scottish Borders Garden Waste Collection

Scottish Borders Council · verified local guide

Scottish Borders Garden Waste Collection

Scottish Borders Council does not provide a household kerbside garden-waste collection.

Apply, renew or check the serviceRead official council guidance

Council information checked 16 September 2026

No kerbside serviceGarden waste is not accepted in household recycling bins.
Seven recycling centresCouncil sites accept domestic garden waste.
Loose disposalEmpty garden material loose into the designated skip.

Plan your local garden-waste service

Collection season and festive changes

Scottish Borders Council does not operate a general kerbside garden-waste collection: the former non-statutory urban service ended in 2014. There is therefore no council collection season or Christmas schedule.

Container options

No kerbside service Garden waste is not accepted in household recycling bins. Separate any transport bags before placing loose garden waste in the recycling-centre skip; trailers and some large vehicles require booking.

Renewal and service dates

There is no council garden-waste subscription to renew. Residents should use home composting, a recycling centre or a properly licensed private collector.

Concessions and payment support

With no council subscription, no concessionary subscription applies. The council previously offered home composters to households affected by withdrawal of the service; check current availability directly.

When are your bins next due?

Use our Scottish Borders Council collection guide for local collection information and access to the council’s current day checker.

Check when your bins are next due for collection

If your garden-waste collection is missed

Check the basics. There is no council garden-waste round to report as missed. For an ordinary household-bin problem use the council’s waste route; for private garden-waste collections contact that provider.
Use the official reporting route. Reporting windows differ, so follow the live council instructions rather than waiting for the next collection.

Check Scottish Borders Council service notices and missed-bin guidance →

What can go in the garden-waste container?

Accepted

Domestic garden waste taken loose to a Scottish Borders community recycling centre.

Not accepted

Garden waste in household kerbside recycling, plastic bags left in the garden-waste skip, and commercial waste presented as household material.

When the collection service is not suitable

Extra local guidance

Residents can also compost at home. Separate any transport bags before placing loose garden waste in the recycling-centre skip; trailers and some large vehicles require booking.

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Straightforward answers, with local council checks where needed.

Scottish Borders Garden Waste FAQs

Does the council collect garden waste at the kerbside?

No.

Where can residents take it?

To a council community recycling centre.

Can bags go in the garden-waste skip?

No, empty the contents loose and dispose of bags separately.

Is home composting an option?

Yes.

Source: Scottish Borders Council official waste and recycling guidance, checked 16 September 2026.