| The Hidden Journey of Green Waste — Why It Matters More Than We Think Green waste is one of those things most of us rarely question. Grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, fallen leaves — they’re tidied away, collected, and forgotten about. But behind the scenes, how green waste is handled has a much bigger environmental impact than many people realise. For small, independent gardening businesses, managing green waste responsibly is one of the least visible — and most challenging — parts of the job. Household Waste and Professional Garden Waste Are Not the Same In many areas, households can opt into a council garden waste scheme. In Sandwich and the wider Dover district, this is operated on the council’s behalf by Veolia. For around £62–£65 per year, residents receive a 240-litre wheeled bin collected fortnightly, paid as a fixed annual subscription. That model works well for domestic waste. Professional gardening waste is different. Gardeners must: Transport waste legally as registered carriers Pay commercial disposal rates. Manage fluctuating volumes depending on season and growth. Handle waste as part of skilled garden care, not as a standalone service. This distinction is often overlooked. Gardeners Aren’t Waste Companies — and Many Don’t Remove Waste at All It may come as a surprise that many gardening businesses do not remove green waste, or only remove very limited amounts. Others leave disposal entirely to the client. At Earthly Comforts, green waste removal is offered as a supporting service — not because we are a waste company, but because we believe responsible garden care doesn’t stop at the garden gate. Just as importantly, we believe it’s worth asking: where does this material go next? From Disposal to Circular Thinking For years, Earthly Comforts absorbed part of the true cost of green waste disposal while exploring better long-term options. From 2026, green waste handling will move to a clear, volume-based system, using standardised 125-litre bags so waste is measured fairly and transparently. But pricing is only part of the picture. The bigger goal is to reduce waste miles, avoid unnecessary disposal, and treat green waste as what it really is — a soil-building resource. Introducing the Soil Builders Hub (Launching from 2026) Looking ahead, Earthly Comforts is developing the Soil Builders Hub — a client-only centre designed to convert green waste generated by our gardening work into reusable soil resources. As the hub matures, the aim is to offer membership clients access to locally produced soil builders, including: Compost Worm-rich compost Vermicast (worm-worked compost) Leaf mulch / leaf mould Compost teas Bark chips and woody mulches Each plays a different role in improving soil structure, feeding soil life, and helping gardens become healthier and more resilient over time. This approach reflects a simple idea: green waste isn’t waste — it’s the foundation of healthy soil. A Quieter, More Thoughtful Way Forward Not every gardening business removes green waste. Fewer still think about closed loops or circular systems. But small, practical changes — handled honestly and at human scale — can add up to meaningful impact. By treating green waste as a shared responsibility rather than a hidden extra, gardening can become not just about how a space looks today, but how its soil is cared for long into the future. |
The Importance of Green Waste Management for Gardening Businesses
Earthly Comforts 