Recycling fallen leaves
Information on how residents can sign up to have fallen leaves collected
Fallen leaf collections
Complete the online form to sign up to the leaf recycling scheme, request a collection or cancel the service.
Thanet’s leafing bin scheme relaunches
Following the huge success of our trial last year, the Thanet leafing bin scheme is back. This initiative solves the problem of fallen leaves. We recycle them, which helps the environment and keeps them from being treated as street litter.
The scheme is simple: we provide the bin, you fill it with leaves, and we collect it for composting.
- Request a bin: if you’re keen to take part, complete the online form on this page to request a dedicated wheeled bin for leaf collection.
- Fill it up: use the bin exclusively for fallen leaves from your area.
- Request a collection: once your bin is full, let us know by completing the form, and our Waste & Recycling team will collect it at the next available date.
You can also request to have your bin removed if you no longer wish to use the service.
The leaves collected are transformed into high-quality compost, diverting valuable organic waste from disposal and supporting the health of our local environment.
There are 100 bins of different sizes available for residents, schools, community gardens and businesses. The scheme is available from Monday 27 October 2025 up until Christmas 2025.
PermalinkBefore we started this scheme in 2024, all fallen leaves were collected with general street litter, meaning they couldn’t be composted.
Our first staff-only leaf picking patrols in 2023 successfully diverted nine tonnes of leaves for composting. Last season, our initial community trial in Broadstairs was met with a fantastic response and huge support from residents. Based on that success, we are now extending the scheme to the whole of Thanet, aiming for even better results with your help.
We’re incredibly grateful for the dedication of Thanet’s strong community of litter pickers. By collecting leaves separately, this scheme reduces the volume of wet, heavy organic material our volunteer groups and cleansing teams encounter, making their valued work easier and more effective.
PermalinkWe want to encourage everyone to understand the environmental benefits of composting, and so have a number of rewards and offers for anyone participating, in collaboration with Wiggly Wigglers, a farm specialising in sustainable and eco-friendly garden products.
Reward |
Details |
| Grand prize draw | All participants are entered into a draw to win a year’s free green waste subscription. Winners will be notified by Wednesday 7 January 2026. |
| Wiggly Wigglers discount | Get 15% off your next Wiggly Wigglers order before Christmas with code THANET15. |
| Worm farm prize | One lucky participant will also win a Wiggly Worm Farm worth £116.95 including delivery, from our partners. Winners will be notified by Wednesday 7 January 2026. |
We’re delighted to be teaming up with Thanet District Council to help turn this year’s leaf fall into something truly valuable. At Wiggly Wigglers, we think leaves are nothing short of amazing — they’re nature’s brown gold and the secret ingredient to great home composting.
When you mix them with your kitchen peelings and leftovers, you can virtually eliminate your food waste and create rich, living soil that will feed your plants, lock in carbon, and bring your garden to life. Instead of binning waste, you’ll be transforming it into something brilliant — natural fertility straight from your doorstep.
If you’re looking for a truly meaningful Christmas gift, why not give a Wormery or Bokashi Kit? You’ll be inspiring someone you love to waste less, grow more, and make 2026 their zero-waste year. Visit Wiggly Wigglers for more information.
PermalinkAny participating school can book a free workshop with our Education Officer to teach children about decomposition, soil health, and the importance of recycling leaves. These hands-on sessions will include creating a jam jar wormery to observe nature’s recyclers in action.
Join us in making Thanet cleaner and greener, and make some worms happy this autumn.
Got a question or want to get involved? Email us at: leafingbin@thanet.gov.uk
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