RESIDENTS wanting to keep their garden waste collections must now sign up for the council’s £50 scheme.

Once a free service will soon see a £50 charge from November 1 as Slough Borough Council tries to find savings and new income streams to stay financially afloat.

Only registered residents with a special sticker on their green bins will have their garden waste collected. Subscribers will receive up to 25 collections, fortnightly over the whole year, including across the winter months.

To sign up, homeowners must go to the council’s website. From there, they must pay £50 per year.

READ MORE: Slough's free green waste collection will see a £50 charge

Those who already have a green bin can keep theirs but those who need one must pay an additional £45.

Councillor Mohammed Nazir (Lab: Baylis & Stoke), lead member for the local environment, said: “We understand the cost may be prohibitive for some and if people do not wish to subscribe, they are under no pressure to do so.

“And of course, the Chalvey Household Waste and Recycling Centre will be continuing to take household garden waste for free for anyone wishing to take it there directly.”

READ MORE: Slough searching for more savings amid government cuts

People who currently have a green bin but do not want to subscribe to the new service can keep their green bin or return it to the tip.

Cllr Nazir added: “The garden waste collection scheme is changing so if you would like to continue receiving green bin collections now is the time to sign up.

“Subscribing is easy – just a quick online form, payment and then instructions and the sticker will arrive in the post.

“With up to 25 collections a year it is very good value for money and saves residents both time and hassle of disposing of their garden waste themselves.”