Domestic waste collections 

Collections

Domestic waste (recycling and rubbish) is collected twice each week. We collect domestic waste as normal on Easter Monday, May and Spring Bank Holidays (special arrangements for the remaining Bank Holiday periods are publicised in the local press and information offices).

See the collections page for further information on recycling and refuse collections. 

If your property has a refuse storage area then you should use it (the refuse collectors will carry your bins or bags to the collection vehicle). The refuse area should be kept in good order through regular attention and the use of suitable containers (wheelie bins cannot be collected). Only where such storage does not exist is it acceptable to leave domestic waste on the highway or footway. If this applies to you then you should present your domestic waste for collection directly outside your property (not someone else's) before 7am on the morning of collection (not the night before, nor any other day), as near to the kerb as possible but in a position least likely to cause an obstruction to pedestrians or people entering or exiting vehicles.

You can put out any reasonable amount of routine domestic waste (see Types of waste collected). If it is not possible for all your domestic waste to be taken from your refuse storage area then some may be left until the next collection day.

Times of collection

Collections start at 7am and all domestic waste must therefore be available at this time. It is an offence to put your domestic waste out on the highway or footway other than on the scheduled days of collection or after collection has been made. Officers will investigate such offences and sticker bags with a clear message for the perpetrators. The bags will then remain on the street until the next collection day. 

Special collections - items that are Too Big for the Bin

Please help us by:

  • remembering your collection days
  • packaging your waste securely in a strong plastic bag or dustbin
  • marking your dustbins and loose lids with your house or flat numbers
  • flattening cardboard boxes
  • ensuring your waste is available for collection by 7am

Containers

Householders and landlords are responsible for providing their own dustbins and rubbish sacks. Dustbins manufactured to British Standards specification with properly fitting lids are ideal for rubbish storage. Heavy lids prevent animals getting at edible waste and overturning your bin. Residents are advised against purchasing wheelie bin receptacles as the collection vehicles are not designed to lift or empty these type of bins.

Broken bottles and glass

In order to avoid injury, broken glass should always be safely wrapped in several layers of newspaper before it is put in a dustbin or sack and appropriately marked. Any items with sharp or jagged edges should always be made safe.

Orange recycling bags

Packs of 26 orange recycling bags are delivered every three months to all residents receiving collections from a private storage area or the kerbside. See the delivery schedule.

Paladins and continental bins

If you are a resident or tenant of a Council housing estate or mansion block your rubbish will probably be stored in bulk containers (paladins or continental bins). These are collected twice a week.

  • do not put large objects down the chute which could block it
  • do not put toxic or inflammable liquids down the chute
  • always wrap rubbish, especially food and vegetable matter
  • do not block the rubbish storage area with bulky or extra refuse
  • do not put your car in front of the rubbish storage area doors or opening, or obstruct the bin in any way

What do I do if it's my rubbish collection day and the dustmen haven't been yet?

Although waste collection crews normally follow a certain route on their round, outside factors such as traffic and how many times they need to go to the tip will all affect what time they get to you. If your recycling and rubbish hasn't been collected by 3pm please contact us and we will arrange for it to be collected within 24 hours. If you want to make a complaint, complete the fault reporting form.

Rats and collections

The Council takes the issue of rats or mice in waste storage areas very seriously. Under Health and Safety legislation, if collection operatives spot evidence of rats or mice (such as rodent droppings) in a waste storage area, they are not to remove the recycling and refuse until the area has been treated to remove the rodents (to be arranged by owners). Rats and mice carry diseases which can threaten human health. They also cause damage to brickwork, woodwork, service pipes and electrical wiring through gnawing and burrowing. To read more about rats and mice and how they can affect the recycling and refuse collection please see our pages on rats and collections.

More information

If you have a query or complaint about your refuse collections please call Streetline on 020 7361 3001 or email: streetline@rbkc.gov.uk.