Your wheelie bins
As part of our service, most households have their recycling and rubbish collected from wheelie bins.
Wheelie bins:
- make recycling more convenient for households
- help prevent animals from ripping open rubbish sacks
- help keep our streets cleaner
- stop recycling materials from being blown away from open containers
If there is a problem with your wheelie bin, telephone contact customer services on 020 8825 6000.
Blue recycling wheelie bin
Your blue wheelie bin is for household items that can be recycled.
Everything you currently recycle can go in here.
Your blue bin will be collected every other week with your small green food waste bin.
Find out what you can put in your blue bin
Black rubbish wheelie bin
Your black wheelie bin is for household rubbish that cannot be recycled.
The less you put in here, the less goes to landfill.
Your black bin is collected every other week with your small green food waste bin.
Find out what you can put in your black bin
Wheelie bin size
Most households will use a standard sized wheelie bin. The standard bin is 180 litres, which can hold up to 4 bin bags.
If you have a larger household, may be able to apply for a larger size wheelie bin. The larger bins are 360 litres and can hold up to 7 bin bags.
To apply for a larger wheelie bin, telephone customer services on 020 8825 6000 or use the online portal
A new or replacement standard bin costs £50, and the larger bin costs £75.
Flats above shops or estates
If you live in a flat above a shop or in an estate, you have different rubbish collection options:
- place loose black sacks at a specific collection point. To avoid animals ripping open your sacks, put your rubbish out in the morning or as late as possible the evening before collection day
- dispose of your rubbish in a communal rubbish bin if one is available
Placing your rubbish out more than one day outside of your collection day may be seen as fly tipping.
Residents or managing agents who wish to switch from sacks to communal bins should telephone customer services on 020 8825 6000 or submit a request through their online account. The site will need to be assessed for its suitability.
Communal bins can be purchased from the council, and collections will be free of charge.
For any new build developments, we recommend reviewing the waste management guidelines to ensure appropriate arrangements for storing, collecting, and managing waste.
Help with moving your bins
If you need extra help moving your wheelie bins on collection day, we may be able to help you.