Bins and recycling in Bradford

What goes in each of Bradford's bins, and where to take the things they don't collect. This page uses City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council's own published information, checked 16 Oct 2026.

Recycle This is independent: it isn't run by City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council. If anything here differs from City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council's website, the council is right.

Your bins in Bradford

  • Grey recycling bin

    Collected every 2 weeks Paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, cans, aerosols, foil, plastic bottles, plastic food trays, pots and tubs, and cartons, all mixed together. No plastic bags or film, no black plastic trays.

  • Green general waste bin

    Collected every 2 weeks Things that can't be recycled, such as nappies, crisp packets, takeaway cups and plastic toys. Only one green bin is emptied per household, with the lid closed and no bags at the side.

  • Brown garden waste bin

    Collected every 4 weeks Paid annual subscription (£62 a year). Grass, leaves, hedge clippings, small twigs, weeds and plants, loose in the bin. No soil, turf, food or plant pots.

  • Food waste bin and kitchen caddy

    Collected weekly Free, being rolled out across the district from August 2026. Leftovers, raw and cooked food, meat, fish, bones, bread, dairy, eggs, tea bags and coffee grounds. No packaging, liquids or oil.

Flat with shared bins: Blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupancy use large shared bins instead of a grey, green and brown bin each. The council expects one big rubbish bin, one big recycling bin and one food waste bin for every 5 homes, and the landlord or managing agent has to provide them.

Source: City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council's website.

Bin days in Bradford

Check your collection day with City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council's bin day lookup, or use Bin days on this site.

Get the app

Snap a photo instead of typing, and get a reminder the evening before bin day.

Get it on Google PlayiPhone: coming soon

Garden waste and bulky items

Garden waste collection: £62 a year. £62 for 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027; an extra brown bin costs £47 extra; the page doesn't say when 2027 renewals open. (source)

Paid collection, £30 for up to 3 items from the council's list, Monday to Friday; book and pay online or on 01274 431000 before the day. Book or check prices with City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

Recycling centres for Bradford

Household waste recycling centres take what your bins can't. Some need a booking: check before you go.

  • Bowling Back Lane Household Waste Recycling Centre

    Bowling Back Lane, Bradford, BD4 8SZ

    Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 4.45pm (May to September) or 9am to 4.45pm (October to April); Saturday 9am to 3.45pm; Sunday 10am to 3.45pm; closed bank holidays. Plaster and plasterboard (charged) Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm, Saturday 9am to 3pm, Sunday 10am to 3pm. Weighbridge closed 12 noon to 12.30pm to private deliveries.

    Booking: No booking, but you must show your free blue residents permit. Asbestos cement (wrapped) is taken here only, booked at least 24 hours ahead, Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm. Vans need a large capacity vehicle permit.

    Tyres (4 at most) and plasterboard are charged. Fridges and freezers are temporarily not accepted. Has a New to Me reuse shop. Map position is the postcode centre.

    Source: bradford.gov.uk

  • Dealburn Road Household Waste Recycling Centre

    Dealburn Road, Low Moor, BD12 0RG

    Opening hours: Closed Mondays. Tuesday to Friday 8am to 4.45pm (May to September) or 9am to 4.45pm (October to April); Saturday 9am to 3.45pm; Sunday 10am to 3.45pm; closed bank holidays.

    Booking: No booking, but you must show your free blue residents permit. Vans must use Bowling Back Lane or Keighley.

    No tyres or plasterboard here. Fridges and freezers are temporarily not accepted. Map position is the postcode centre.

    Source: bradford.gov.uk

  • Dowley Gap Household Waste Recycling Centre

    Wagon Lane, Bingley, BD16 1TP

    Opening hours: Closed Mondays. Tuesday to Friday 8am to 4.45pm (May to September) or 9am to 4.45pm (October to April); Saturday 9am to 3.45pm; Sunday 10am to 3.45pm; closed bank holidays.

    Booking: No booking, but you must show your free blue residents permit. Vans must use Bowling Back Lane or Keighley.

    No tyres or plasterboard here. Fridges and freezers are temporarily not accepted. Map position is the postcode centre.

    Source: bradford.gov.uk

  • Keighley Household Waste Recycling Centre

    Royd Ings Avenue, Keighley, BD21 4BZ

    Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 4.45pm (May to September) or 9am to 4.45pm (October to April); Saturday 8am to 3.45pm; Sunday 10am to 3.45pm; closed bank holidays. Plaster and plasterboard (charged) Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm, Saturday 9am to 11.45am, Sunday 10am to 3pm.

    Booking: No booking, but you must show your free blue residents permit. Vans need a large capacity vehicle permit.

    Tyres (4 at most) and plasterboard are charged. Fridges and freezers are temporarily not accepted. Map position is the postcode centre.

    Source: bradford.gov.uk

  • Midland Road Household Waste Recycling Centre

    Midland Road, Manningham, Bradford, BD8 7DQ

    Opening hours: Closed Mondays. Tuesday to Friday 8am to 4.45pm (May to September) or 9am to 4.45pm (October to April); Saturday 9am to 3.45pm; Sunday 10am to 3.45pm; closed bank holidays.

    Booking: No booking, but you must show your free blue residents permit. Vans must use Bowling Back Lane or Keighley.

    No tyres or plasterboard here. Fridges and freezers are temporarily not accepted. Map position is the postcode centre.

    Source: bradford.gov.uk

Where common items go in Bradford

Something else? Search any item and choose Bradford as your council.

How Bradford compares

As of 24 Oct 2026. See all the council rankings.

Common questions

What goes in the grey recycling bin in Bradford?

Paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, cans, aerosols, foil, plastic bottles, plastic food trays, pots and tubs, and cartons, all mixed together. No plastic bags or film, no black plastic trays.

What goes in the green general waste bin in Bradford?

Things that can't be recycled, such as nappies, crisp packets, takeaway cups and plastic toys. Only one green bin is emptied per household, with the lid closed and no bags at the side.

What goes in the brown garden waste bin in Bradford?

Paid annual subscription (£62 a year). Grass, leaves, hedge clippings, small twigs, weeds and plants, loose in the bin. No soil, turf, food or plant pots.

What goes in the food waste bin and kitchen caddy in Bradford?

Free, being rolled out across the district from August 2026. Leftovers, raw and cooked food, meat, fish, bones, bread, dairy, eggs, tea bags and coffee grounds. No packaging, liquids or oil.

When is my bin day in Bradford?

It depends on your street. Enter your address in City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council's bin day lookup (bradford.gov.uk), or use Bin days on Recycle This.

Official sources