Bins and recycling in Havering
What goes in each of Havering's bins, and where to take the things they don't collect. This page uses London Borough of Havering's own published information, checked 10 Oct 2026.
Recycle This is independent: it isn't run by London Borough of Havering. If anything here differs from London Borough of Havering's website, the council is right.
Your bins in Havering
Black rubbish sacks
Orange recycling sacks
Green garden waste bin (subscription)
Compostable garden waste sacks (subscription)
Clear bag of household batteries
Clear bag of small electricals
Tied carrier bag of textiles
Flat with shared bins: Flats with communal bins put their orange (recycling) and black (rubbish) sacks into the clearly marked communal bins. Batteries, small electricals and textiles can't be left out for collection.
Source: London Borough of Havering's website.
Bin days in Havering
Check your collection day with London Borough of Havering'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: £87 a year. £87 per bin per year; contracts run 1 April to 31 March (year not named). The compostable sack service (50 sacks) is also £87 a year on a contract of one calendar year from subscription, with extra rolls of 10 sacks at £16 plus £7.50 delivery (https://www.havering.gov.uk/info/20003/rubbish_and_recycling/54/garden_waste/2). (source)
Paid collection: £71.50 for 1 to 3 items, £18.50 for each extra item, non-refundable. Book online or call 01708 432563, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Items must be out by 7am at your front boundary (or the communal bin area for flats), and no longer than 6 feet. Book or check prices with London Borough of Havering.
Recycling centres for Havering
Household waste recycling centres take what your bins can't. Some need a booking: check before you go.
Gerpins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre
Gerpins Lane, Upminster, RM14 2XR
Opening hours: Every day 7.30am to 5.45pm (last entry 5.30pm). Closed Christmas Day.
Booking: Bring proof of identity and address. Contact the centre before bringing asbestos.
Map position is the postcode centre. Accepted materials follow the East London Waste Authority list (checked 2026-10-11): gas bottles must be empty, toys must not be jigsaws or damaged, hard plastics and cartons are taken but not recycled, and household chemicals are not taken at the centre.
Source: eastlondonwaste.gov.uk
Where common items go in Havering
- Pizza boxYes. Put it in your Orange recycling sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Plastic carrier bagThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Black rubbish sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Crisp packetThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Black rubbish sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Black plastic ready-meal trayThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Black rubbish sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Paper coffee cupThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Black rubbish sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Wine bottleYes. Put it in your Orange recycling sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Glass jarYes. Put it in your Orange recycling sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Kitchen foilYes. Put it in your Orange recycling sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Food scraps and leftoversThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Black rubbish sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Tea bagThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Black rubbish sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
- ClothesYes. Put it in your Tied carrier bag of textiles. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Battery (not sure which type)Yes. Put it in your Clear bag of household batteries. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Disposable vapeNot in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Light bulb (not sure which type)Not in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Small household applianceYes. Put it in your Clear bag of small electricals. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Paint tinYour council can collect this from home. Arrange it first. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Real Christmas treeYes. Put it in your Green garden waste bin (subscription). Source: London Borough of Havering
- Cardboard boxYes. Put it in your Orange recycling sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Food cartonYes. Put it in your Orange recycling sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Plastic drinks bottleYes. Put it in your Orange recycling sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
- Till receiptThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Black rubbish sacks. Source: London Borough of Havering
Something else? Search any item and choose Havering as your council.
How Havering compares
- Weekly shop basket Collects 19 of 22 everyday packaging items from home. Joint 100th of 279 councils in England. Not collected from home: Black plastic ready-meal tray, Crisp packet, Bread bag
- Recycling rate 38.0% of household waste was reused, recycled or composted in 2024-25 (Defra). Joint 128th of 195 councils that collect waste but don't run the tips in England.
- Food waste Not collected from home yet. We don't have a start date.
As of 24 Oct 2026. See all the council rankings.
Common questions
What goes in the black rubbish sacks in Havering?
General household waste only, left on the ground just inside your boundary by 7am. Sacks can't be collected from wheeled bins.
What goes in the orange recycling sacks in Havering?
Cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, clean pots, tubs and trays (no black plastic), empty aerosols, foil, cartons, clean tubes, paper, envelopes and thin card. Thick card is folded and placed under the sack. A roll of 16 sacks is delivered every 13 weeks.
What goes in the green garden waste bin (subscription) in Havering?
Flowers and plants, weeds, grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, leaves, small twigs and branches. No food, general waste, stones, plant pots, plastic or soil. 240-litre bin, £87 per bin per year, contract runs 1 April to 31 March.
What goes in the compostable garden waste sacks (subscription) in Havering?
Flowers and plants, weeds, grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, leaves, small twigs and branches. No food, general waste, soil, logs, stones, plant pots, plastic or heavy items. £87 a year for 50 sacks; extra rolls of 10 are £16 plus £7.50 delivery.
What goes in the clear bag of household batteries in Havering?
6V, D, C, AA, AAA, 9V and button batteries in a small clear carrier or sandwich bag, left by your sacks on collection day. Not for lithium, damaged, corroded, industrial or car batteries, or ones with trailing wires. Not available to flats with communal bins.
What goes in the clear bag of small electricals in Havering?
Small electricals in a clear or open carrier bag, placed next to your orange sack on collection day: kettles, toasters, irons, hair dryers, remote controls, mobile phones, chargers, small electronic toys, hand power tools and smoke detectors. Not available to flats with communal bins.
What goes in the tied carrier bag of textiles in Havering?
Clothes, shoes and textiles in a securely tied carrier bag left by your black and orange sacks on collection day. Not available to flats.
When is my bin day in Havering?
It depends on your street. Enter your address in London Borough of Havering's bin day lookup (havering.gov.uk), or use Bin days on Recycle This.