Residents can now apply for a new green waste permit for the next year from Warwick District Council.

The council introduced the new charges from August 1 last year, despite backlash from residents.

Optional green bin collections form part of the council's new 123+ system which still went ahead despite the collapse of the merger with Stratford-on-Avon District Council.

Residents will have to pay £40 to cover collections from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 (with a two week break over Christmas and New Year).

Locals had to pay £20 last year because the fee only covered the period between August 2022 and March 2023.

Last year Cllr Alan Rhead, portfolio holder for environment and neighbourhood services, said: "There has been a significant rise in the cost of the waste collection service due to various external factors, it has therefore not been possible to maintain a free garden waste collection service paid for through council tax."

Residents can also pay for an extra green bin.

Permits can be applied for on the council website. The sign ups will redirect residents to the SDC website to complete payment.

WDC has said the new three-weekly bin collections have seen an increase in recycling across the district.

Speaking at December's full WDC meeting, Cllr Jody Tracey said: "We have now had the initial results for the first two months of the new 123+ service with Biffa. 

"I am pleased to advise members that in line with our expectations, the percentage of total waste to recycling including garden and food waste has increased across the district by ten per cent to over 62 per cent in September. 

"At the same time the average level of grey bin waste per household has decreased by over a third to just over 21kg per month."

The new service, which collects 287,000 bins from 135,000 households across both districts each week, has received similar praise from counterparts in Stratford.