If you've done the cutting yourself and are left with a pile of branches, hedge clippings, turf or bags of weeds, you don't need a full clearance. You need someone to load it and take it away legally. Green waste removal is priced on how much van space the waste takes up.
We connect you with one local clearance specialist in your area, checked as a registered waste carrier. You get an instant price here; they confirm a fixed price from your photos, usually the same day.
What it costs
Prices include loading, transport and disposal at a licensed site.
| Load size | Roughly what fits | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| Car boot | A few bags of clippings or one small pile of prunings | £80 |
| Quarter van | Clippings from a trimmed garden hedge, or several full garden bags | £120 |
| Half van | Prunings from several shrubs plus turf, piled about waist high | £190 |
| Three-quarter van | A garden's worth of autumn cut-back | £260 |
| Full van | A pile roughly the size of a small car | £330 |
| More than a van | Big clear-outs, several piles | Survey |
Prices are indicative. The "what fits" column is a rough guide only; the specialist will judge the load from your photos. Access through the house or more than 20 metres to the van adds about 15%. For how collection compares with a full clearance, see the garden clearance cost guide.
What affects the price
- Volume, not weight. Van space is the limit. Loose branches take up much more room than the same weight of grass clippings. Cutting long branches into shorter lengths and stacking them in one direction can bring a load down a size.
- What's in it. This price is for green waste only. Soil, rubble, old fence panels or general rubbish mixed in go to different disposal sites and add about 20%. Soil and rubble are usually priced at about £50 per bulk bag.
- Where it is. A tidy pile on the drive is quick to load. Waste at the bottom of a long garden, down steps, or carried through the house takes more time.
- Whether it's bagged. Bags are fine, but the specialist will usually tip loose material into the van and take the bags away too.
Example: you've cut back a laurel and two overgrown shrubs in a garden in Sutton Coldfield and have a pile about waist high at the side of the house. That is likely a half-van load at around £190. If the only route out is through the hallway, expect around £219.
What the job involves
This is the simplest job on the site. The specialist arrives, checks the load matches the photos, loads it by hand, sweeps up behind and takes it to a licensed site. Most collections take under an hour.
Before they arrive:
- Pile waste as close to the van as you can, without blocking a pavement or the road.
- Keep soil, stones and rubbish separate, or tell the specialist they are there.
- Leave out anything you're unsure about, such as plants you think might be Japanese knotweed.
What to photograph for a quote
Good photos usually mean a fixed price without a visit. More photo tips.
- The whole thing, with your house or fence in shot for scale
- The base or ground level and what’s around it: walls, sheds, beds
- The route in from the road: side gate, steps, the path through
Questions about green waste removal
Why not just use the council garden waste bin?
For regular small amounts, the council's garden waste collection is usually the cheapest option. It becomes impractical when you have more than a few bins' worth, branches too thick for the bin, or a one-off cut-back that would take months to get rid of.
Could I take it to the tip myself?
Yes, if you have a vehicle and the local household recycling centre accepts it. Many people find a trailer or several car trips on a weekend isn't worth it for a large pile. It's your choice; the price here is for when you'd rather someone else did it.
Do I need to be there when it's collected?
Not if the waste is outside, easy to reach and you've agreed the price. The specialist may ask you to confirm by message once it's gone.
What if the load turns out bigger than I thought?
That's why the specialist confirms a fixed price from your photos before they come. If there is clearly more on the day than you showed them, they should tell you the new price before loading, not after.
Will they cut things down as well?
Green waste removal is collection only. If you still need hedges trimmed or growth cut back, book hedge trimming or an overgrown garden clearance, which includes the waste. Our guide on how to clear an overgrown garden helps if you're doing the cutting yourself.