Hillingdon Council has announced a major redesign of its garden waste collection service, set to launch in April 2027. The changes — driven by a £65 million government funding shortfall and the need to replace ageing refuse collection vehicles — will introduce wheeled bins, a consistent fortnightly collection schedule throughout the year, and revised per-bin charges.
Under the new model, residents will pay £69 per bin, representing an £8 reduction for entry-level subscribers compared to current base rates. Additional bins will also cost £69 each. The shift to a bin-based fortnightly service is expected to deliver recurring annual savings of approximately £0.8 million, reducing the net cost of the service from £0.9 million to £0.1 million per year.
Currently, 23,105 households subscribe to the service, generating £1.78 million in revenue for the 2026/27 financial year. Subscriptions are highest in wards with larger private gardens, led by Eastcote (2,857 subscribers; £219,989) and Ruislip (2,555 subscribers; £196,735), alongside Northwood and Harefield.
To support the rollout, the council will procure roughly 40,000 wheeled bins at an estimated capital cost of £1.2 million, funded via a budget virement from the council’s Capital Contingency budget. Because new refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) equipped with bin lifters have an industry lead time of 18 to 24 months, six hire vehicles will be deployed in April 2027 to bridge the gap until a permanent fleet is procured via The Procurement Partnership (TPPL) framework.
The council will also implement new in-cab software starting in April 2027 to provide route optimisation, real-time updates, and enhanced reporting. The new platform will run in dual operation with the current system until April 2028 to ensure a smooth transition.
The proposals align directly with the Council’s Cabinet Priorities for 2026–2030: “Being easy to deal with,” “Being brilliant at the basics,” and “Putting our residents first.”
Where properties are deemed unsuitable for wheeled bins, alternative sack-based collection arrangements will remain available. The council’s existing assisted collection service will also continue for residents unable to present their containers due to age or disability.
