The tags will be put on burgundy bins put out for collection over the next two weeks, as a permit will be required for the uplifting of garden waste from Tuesday 1 April.

This means that for residents in the East Kilbride/Rutherglen/Cambuslang areas, the last garden waste collection that doesn’t require a permit will either be between Tuesday 18 March and Friday 21 March or on Monday 31 March.

In the Hamilton and Clydesdale areas, the last garden waste collection that doesn’t require a permit will be between Monday 24 March and Friday 28 March.

Please check the online collection calendar for when your bins should be put out.

Chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, said: “The garden waste collection scheme is highly valued by many residents across South Lanarkshire and is currently provided free of charge.

“The move brings the council in line with most other local authorities across Scotland who uplift garden waste. 

“It is not, however, a statutory service and continued pressure on council budgets meant that we have to consider all options available to us, including charging for garden waste uplifts. 

“It is important to note that food waste will still be collected in the burgundy bins for free. 

“Introducing a permit as an opt-in scheme means residents without gardens or who don’t have any garden waste aren’t forced into contributing to the cost of providing the service. 

“Householders with gardens will have the choice to either purchase a permit or take up any of the free options for their garden waste such as through taking it to recycling centres or composting, with information on both of these being available on the council’s website.” 

The garden waste permit page has more information, including how to apply for a permit which costs £45.

The cost is £45 per bin for a maximum of three bins, and the same charge applies regardless of bin size (140 litre or 240 litre).