Bins and recycling in Croydon
What goes in each of Croydon's bins, and where to take the things they don't collect. This page uses London Borough of Croydon's own published information, checked 10 Oct 2026.
Recycle This is independent: it isn't run by London Borough of Croydon. If anything here differs from London Borough of Croydon's website, the council is right.
Your bins in Croydon
Blue-lid paper and card bin or box
Grey or green-lid recycling bin or box (glass, cans, plastics, cartons)
Grey-lid rubbish bin
Food waste caddy (kitchen caddy and lockable outside container)
Brown-lid garden waste bin (paid subscription)
Untied plastic bag of batteries on top of your recycling
Tied plastic bag of textiles on top of your recycling
Flat with shared bins: Estates and purpose-built blocks (more than 5 flats) use communal recycling and rubbish bins in the bin shed. Rubbish is collected weekly. There is no garden waste service for shared bins.
Source: London Borough of Croydon's website.
Bin days in Croydon
Check your collection day with London Borough of Croydon'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.
Garden waste and bulky items
Garden waste collection: £90.1 a year. £90.10 for one year for one bin; renewal means signing up again at the end of the year; not available to homes with a shared or communal rubbish bin; the page names no season year, early-bird price or discount. (source)
Paid collection all year: £40.40 for 1 to 3 items, £65.30 for 4 to 6. Book and pay online; only items on your order are taken. Book or check prices with London Borough of Croydon.
Recycling centres for Croydon
Household waste recycling centres take what your bins can't. Some need a booking: check before you go.
Factory Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre
Factory Lane, West Croydon CR0 3RL
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 7.30am to 4.30pm; Sunday 8.30am to 4pm. Gates may close earlier when busy.
Booking: Croydon residents only. Cars need a vehicle permit or ID plus proof of address; no trailers. This is the only site that takes vans: Tuesday and Wednesday 11am to 1pm, no permit for vans, bring ID and proof of address.
No asbestos, chemicals, gas bottles, paint, varnish or tyres. Cars can bring up to 6 bags of rubble. The South London Waste Partnership says all its centres take household batteries, cooking oil and rigid plastics including toys. Map position is the postcode centre.
Source: croydon.gov.uk
Fishers Farm Reuse and Recycling Centre
Fishers Farm, North Downs Road, New Addington CR0 0LB
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm; Saturday 9am to 2pm; Sunday 9am to 1pm.
Booking: Croydon residents only. Cars need a vehicle permit or ID plus proof of address; no trailers and no vans.
The Community Reuse Shop is on site (Fri 9am to 4pm, Sat 9am to 1pm, Sun 9am to 12pm). No asbestos, chemicals, gas bottles, paint, varnish or tyres. Cars can bring up to 6 bags of rubble. The South London Waste Partnership says all its centres take household batteries, cooking oil and rigid plastics including toys. Map position is the postcode centre.
Source: croydon.gov.uk
Purley Oaks Reuse and Recycling Centre
Purley Oaks, Brighton Road, South Croydon CR8 2BG
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 8am to 3.30pm.
Booking: Croydon residents only. Cars need a vehicle permit or ID plus proof of address; no trailers and no vans. Join the queue on Brighton Road (A235) north of the site; there is no access from Purley.
No asbestos, chemicals, gas bottles, paint, varnish or tyres. Cars can bring up to 6 bags of rubble. The South London Waste Partnership says all its centres take household batteries, cooking oil and rigid plastics including toys. Map position is the postcode centre.
Source: croydon.gov.uk
Where common items go in Croydon
- Pizza boxThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Grey-lid rubbish bin. Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Plastic carrier bagNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Crisp packetNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Black plastic ready-meal trayThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Grey-lid rubbish bin. Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Paper coffee cupThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Grey-lid rubbish bin. Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Wine bottleYes. Put it in your Grey or green-lid recycling bin or box (glass, cans, plastics, cartons). Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Glass jarYes. Put it in your Grey or green-lid recycling bin or box (glass, cans, plastics, cartons). Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Kitchen foilYes. Put it in your Grey or green-lid recycling bin or box (glass, cans, plastics, cartons). Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Food scraps and leftoversYes. Put it in your Food waste caddy (kitchen caddy and lockable outside container). Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Tea bagYes. Put it in your Food waste caddy (kitchen caddy and lockable outside container). Source: London Borough of Croydon
- ClothesYes. Put it in your Tied plastic bag of textiles on top of your recycling. Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Battery (not sure which type)Yes. Put it in your Untied plastic bag of batteries on top of your recycling. Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Disposable vapeNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: England-wide guidance
- Light bulb (not sure which type)Not in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: England-wide guidance
- Small household applianceNot in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Paint tinThere's no public drop-off for this. Here's who can take it. Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Real Christmas treeYes. Put it in your Brown-lid garden waste bin (paid subscription). Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Cardboard boxYes. Put it in your Blue-lid paper and card bin or box. Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Food cartonYes. Put it in your Grey or green-lid recycling bin or box (glass, cans, plastics, cartons). Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Plastic drinks bottleYes. Put it in your Grey or green-lid recycling bin or box (glass, cans, plastics, cartons). Source: London Borough of Croydon
- Till receiptThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Grey-lid rubbish bin. Source: London Borough of Croydon
Something else? Search any item and choose Croydon as your council.
How Croydon compares
- Weekly shop basket Collects 18 of 22 everyday packaging items from home. Joint 201st of 279 councils in England. Not collected from home: Black plastic ready-meal tray, Pizza box, Crisp packet, Bread bag
- Recycling rate 36.3% of household waste was reused, recycled or composted in 2024-25 (Defra). 60th of 97 councils that collect waste and run the tips in England.
- Food waste Collected from home every week.
As of 24 Oct 2026. See all the council rankings.
Common questions
What goes in the blue-lid paper and card bin or box in Croydon?
Paper, card, cardboard, envelopes, newspapers, magazines, greeting cards, shredded paper in a paper bag. Keep it dry.
What goes in the grey or green-lid recycling bin or box (glass, cans, plastics, cartons) in Croydon?
Cartons, glass bottles and jars, food and drink tins and cans, empty aerosols, foil and foil trays, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays. Rinse everything and take lids off.
What goes in the grey-lid rubbish bin in Croydon?
Waste that can't be recycled, in black sacks: nappies, polystyrene, plastic bags and film, food-soiled card, bagged cold ash.
What goes in the food waste caddy (kitchen caddy and lockable outside container) in Croydon?
Raw or cooked food, meat, fish, bones, tea bags, coffee grounds, fruit and veg, bread. No plastic bags, packaging, liquids, oil or pet litter.
What goes in the brown-lid garden waste bin (paid subscription) in Croydon?
Grass and hedge clippings, leaves, plants, weeds, twigs, small branches up to 30 cm, fallen fruit, flowers. No bags, soil, rubble, plant pots or food waste.
What goes in the untied plastic bag of batteries on top of your recycling in Croydon?
Household batteries (not car batteries) in an untied plastic bag next to or on top of your recycling bin or box.
What goes in the tied plastic bag of textiles on top of your recycling in Croydon?
Clothes, linens and shoes tied in pairs, clean and dry, in a tied plastic bag next to or on top of your recycling bin or box. No duvets, pillows or cushions.
When is my bin day in Croydon?
It depends on your street. Enter your address in London Borough of Croydon's bin day lookup (service.croydon.gov.uk), or use Bin days on Recycle This.