Garden waste in Manchester

Here's how to get rid of garden waste in Manchester, checked against Manchester City Council and Recycle for Greater Manchester pages on 29 October 2026.

The green bin

Manchester City Council lists these for the green food and garden bin: grass cuttings, hedge clippings, twigs and branches, plus raw and cooked food, bones, tea bags, coffee grounds and egg shells. Food should go in compostable bags first. The page doesn't list anything that can't go in, doesn't give size limits for branches, and says nothing about soil or turf. The council website has your collection dates, and a form to request a new bin.

The tips

Recycle for Greater Manchester says you can also recycle garden waste at a recycling centre. Garden soil and rubble are taken too, with a limit of five 900mm by 600mm sacks per visit. Longley Lane and Sandfold Lane are open 8am to 6pm every day and free for residents. Cars get 52 visits a year and vans need a free van permit. See Manchester tips.

Composting

The council also points people to the "Let's Compost Now" campaign. Food waste can't be taken to the tips, so it stays in the green bin.

If a gardener did the work

Waste from garden landscaping counts as business waste, and the council says waste from tradespeople you hired can't be disposed of at its recycling centres. The gardener has to take it away, so check the quote includes it. A landlord clearing a garden is in the same position. See landlord and rental waste in Manchester.

A big clearance

The council bulky collection won't take sheds, fencing, decking, greenhouses, pallets or petrol lawn mowers. For an overgrown garden or a big tree job, a licensed firm or a skip is simpler. See garden waste collection or rubbish removal.