Council bosses have been accused of adding to the cost-of-living crisis with the introduction of its £40 garden waste permit.
The new system which will require householders to pay £40 per year in order for their brown bin to be collected will come into force on Monday, July 10.
However, Conservative councillors Neil Graham and James MacLaren say the charge is “last thing people need” when council tax has already been hiked up by six per cent.
Both politicians say they have been “inundated” with complaints since the charge was announced earlier this year.
The duo have also said the extra charges will lead to a reduction in the recycling of garden waste as well as leading to an increase in fly-tipping.
Renfrewshire Conservative group leader, Councillor Graham, said: “I am continuing to be inundated from constituents who are understandably angry at the SNP council in Renfrewshire introducing this garden tax.
“With council tax already going up by six per cent, further charges are the last thing local residents need during a cost-of-living crisis.
“It will be even worse for residents who have two brown bins, meaning they are facing a double whammy.
“I know from the correspondence I have received that many people have been caught off by these charges, which will come into force in a matter of days.”
The £40 garden waste permit was introduced as part of the SNP administration’s 2023/24 budget.
Recognised as a means of raising funds for the cash-strapped local authority, bosses revealed last month that it would raise £828,000 annually.
Cllr MacLaren, the Tories’ spokesman for the environment, however, said the council should be focused on bringing its existing systems up to par.
“I know from my own ward that missed bin collections happen all too often,” he said, “so I have very little confidence that this is going to improve, just by hitting residents with this £40 permit.
“We also have huge issues surrounding fly-tipping in the region and I have serious concerns that we’ll see a significant increase in these sort of incidents occurring as many people simply won’t shell out for these permits.
“Our council are cash-strapped thanks to the SNP’s savage cuts year on year, but imposing this garden tax is completely the wrong way to go about trying to boost their finances.”
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “As garden waste is not a statutory service, a permit has been introduced to ensure we can continue to offer a collection to those who wish to receive one – with not all councils providing one. The charge brings us in line with two-thirds of councils who do.
“The permit runs in line with the financial year from April to March in keeping with the decision made at the council’s budget meeting in March and residents have had a continuous uplift of their garden waste throughout the financial year – with the cost of the permit also supporting the introduction, implementation and administration of the process.”
Householders are being encouraged to purchase their permit by this Sunday, June 25 to ensure it is with them before the roll out on July 10.
Residents can apply online, by phone or attend local libraries for paper forms.
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