SUBSCRIPTIONS for Cheshire East's green bin collection scheme are now open - at a new higher price.

Whether renewing a subscription or signing up for the first time, residents will need to opt-in to the council's garden waste recycling scheme to have their garden bins collected.

Last year the cost of an annual subscription was £56 - the highest in the North West - but this year residents will need to pay £59 after a proposed increase was included in the approved 2024/25 budget.

Those residents receiving qualifying benefits will be eligible for a 25 per cent reduction in the fee.

Cllr Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, said: "We had nearly 100,000 subscribers to our garden waste collections last year and I’m confident they will want to renew, with more residents choosing to join the scheme as well.

"I would like to thank everyone who has already signed up and remind them they will need to renew their subscription to continue to enjoy an unbroken service.

"I’d recommend doing it now to enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that it’s all in hand.

"At the new price it still represents excellent value and I hope that residents understand that the very slight increase is needed to help the council address the gap in its finances."

The subscription window opens today, October 7, and once subscribed, residents will be sent a welcome pack containing their subscription sticker, which will have their address and unique subscription number on it.

Residents are urged to attach the new coloured sticker to the back of their garden bin (handle side) as soon as they receive it - but not obscuring any current subscription sticker - as garden bins without a valid sticker displaying will not be emptied.

Providing their email address is still the same, residents who subscribed to the service last year will receive a reminder email, enabling them to simply click the link to renew.

To join the garden waste subscription scheme or to renew your current subscription, please visit: Garden bin subscription (cheshireeast.gov.uk)

Residents not able to sign up online can contact Cheshire East Council on 0300 123 5011.