How to leave your rubbish and recycling out

Make sure your rubbish and recycling is available for collection by 6.30am on your collection day.

Missed collections

Putting waste out correctly reduces the risk of missed bin collections.

Only report a missed collection after 4pm on the day of the collection or where the rest of the street has been collected.

Containing rubbish

All rubbish in dustbins must be contained in sacks which must be tied and unsplit. 

We recommend you use dustbins with clip-on lids for general rubbish to keep it secure from scavenging animals. Unfortunately we cannot collect rubbish from wheelie bins. 

We do not supply dustbins or rubbish sacks, only recycling sacks. 

Containing recycling

You should receive a delivery of two rolls of 30 recycling sacks twice a year. Recycling should be placed in these sacks, which should be tied and unsplit.

Recycling can be put out for collection in any clear sack. They do not necessarily need to be ones issued by us. 

Large cardboard should be torn up and placed in clear sacks or be flattened and placed beside any clear recycling sacks.

Getting more sacks

If you run out you can order more recycling sacks. 

They can also be collected from the Customer Centre at the Town Hall in Wandsworth High Street, Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, and from our libraries (except Roehampton).

Where to put your rubbish and recycling

The type of accommodation you live in determines where you should leave your rubbish or recycling for collection. 

Failure to follow these instructions may result in the issuing of a Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecution. 

If you have a front garden or driveway

Put any sacks/dustbins for collection in your front garden or driveway and close to the entrance from the street. We do not collect from back gardens, back/side alleys or landings. 

Placing dustbins or waste sacks on the public pavement can result in a fine of up to £2,500. If you are unable to present it to the front of your property, contact us.

If your door opens directly onto the street

Place sacks on the pavement by the entrance to your home, after 6.30pm on the day before your collection is due. Make sure your waste sacks do not cause a pavement obstruction. 

If litter escapes from your sacks awaiting collection, clear it up promptly. 

If your waste sacks are not collected by 5pm on collection day, take them back inside or report a missed collection.