Renfrewshire Council asks its residents to pay more for a garden waste permit than a number of other local authorities across Scotland, research has shown.
New analysis has highlighted the cost of the scheme in different areas and how the council’s price stacks up against its peers.
In Renfrewshire, the fee stands at £52, whereas it is £50 in Glasgow and South Ayrshire; £47.50 in East Ayrshire; £46.49 in South Lanarkshire; £45 in Edinburgh, Falkirk and Midlothian; and £42 in North Lanarkshire.
Councillor Eddie Devine, who represents Paisley Southeast, called for the charge to be scrapped in late 2023 – when it was £40 – but didn’t secure enough support in the chamber.
This week, he said: “In my opinion, it’s a money-raising exercise.
“I know they will say they don’t have to do the garden waste service, because it’s not one of these things that councils have to do, but I still think the charge should be scrapped.
“It will go up next year as well, that’s already in the plans, and a lot of people won’t realise that.
“I think the figures from around Scotland show it doesn’t have to be as high as £52.
“If they feel this permit is something they have to do, the cost should be much lower.”
There are local authorities whose residents currently pay more than Renfrewshire, with Stirling and West Dunbartonshire on £60, West Lothian on £55.75, Angus on £55, East Renfrewshire on £54.50 and Moray on £54.
Collection frequency and the length of time the service runs can vary from council to council.
The figures were collated during a nationwide exercise carried out by commercial waste company Divert.
Managing director John Verity said: “Garden waste charges vary across Scotland because each council decides how its service is funded and delivered.
“Stirling and West Dunbartonshire charge the most at £60 a year, while the Scottish average is £45.42.
“Local geography is likely to play a part, particularly in rural and less densely populated areas where refuse vehicles may travel further between households.
“Costs can also depend on how long the service runs, how frequently bins are collected and whether the council is trying to recover the full cost of vehicles, staffing, processing and administration through the subscription fee.”
In Renfrewshire, the cost of a permit will increase to £57 in 2027/28 after a series of hikes were voted through at the infrastructure, land and environment policy board last year.
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “In January 2025, councillors agreed a three-year pricing strategy for garden waste permits, with the 2026/27 permit set at £52.
“This helps us continue to provide a reliable and sustainable garden waste collection service despite ongoing increases in operating costs.
“Garden waste collection is a discretionary service and councils across Scotland set charges based on their own local costs and service arrangements.
“Collection and disposal costs will vary across the country depending on a number of local factors.
“Residents can continue to recycle garden waste free of charge at our household waste recycling centres or arrange a one-off collection through our special uplift service.
“Exemptions also remain available for households in receipt of full council tax reduction.”
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