Bins and recycling in Southwark
What goes in each of Southwark's bins, and where to take the things they don't collect. This page uses London Borough of Southwark's own published information, checked 10 Oct 2026.
Recycle This is independent: it isn't run by London Borough of Southwark. If anything here differs from London Borough of Southwark's website, the council is right.
Your bins in Southwark
Blue recycling bin
Green general waste bin
Food waste caddy and outdoor food bin
Brown garden waste bin (subscription)
Garden waste sacks
Flat with shared bins: Flats and estates use communal recycling, general waste and food bins. Flats above shops and upstairs flats in houses use a weekly doorstep collection with recycling bags and black bags instead.
Bin days in Southwark
Check your collection day with London Borough of Southwark'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: £84 a year. £84 a year for the garden bin service, running 1 April to 31 March, or £44 for 20 sacks. (source)
Paid collection of furniture, mattresses and fridges from your own home: £37 per collection of up to 10 items. The tip takes some bulky items free. Book or check prices with London Borough of Southwark.
Recycling centres for Southwark
Household waste recycling centres take what your bins can't. Some need a booking: check before you go.
Southwark Reuse and Recycling Centre
Devon Street, London SE15 1AL
Opening hours: Every day 8.30am to 4.30pm, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Quietest 10am to 3pm on weekdays.
Booking: No appointment for cars, bikes or on foot. Vans and pickups need a permit (4 a year, only in the 8.30am to 9.30am slot). Bring photo ID plus a Council Tax bill, utility bill or bank statement.
Free for Southwark residents; household waste only. Map position is the postcode centre. The council lists furniture, so bulky items are shown as accepted here; check unusual items first.
Source: southwark.gov.uk
Where common items go in Southwark
- Pizza boxYes. Put it in your Blue recycling bin. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Plastic carrier bagNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Crisp packetNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Black plastic ready-meal trayThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Green general waste bin. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Paper coffee cupThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Green general waste bin. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Wine bottleYes. Put it in your Blue recycling bin. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Glass jarYes. Put it in your Blue recycling bin. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Kitchen foilYes. Put it in your Blue recycling bin. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Food scraps and leftoversYes. Put it in your Food waste caddy and outdoor food bin. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Tea bagYes. Put it in your Food waste caddy and outdoor food bin. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- ClothesNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Battery (not sure which type)Not in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- 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: London Borough of Southwark
- Small household applianceNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Paint tinNot in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Real Christmas treeYes. Put it in your Brown garden waste bin (subscription). Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Cardboard boxYes. Put it in your Blue recycling bin. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Food cartonYes. Put it in your Blue recycling bin. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Plastic drinks bottleYes. Put it in your Blue recycling bin. Source: London Borough of Southwark
- Till receiptThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Green general waste bin. Source: London Borough of Southwark
Something else? Search any item and choose Southwark as your council.
How Southwark 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 34.0% of household waste was reused, recycled or composted in 2024-25 (Defra). 66th 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 recycling bin in Southwark?
Mixed paper, card, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, metal cans, tins, foil and aerosols, and food and drink cartons. All loose together, clean and empty, no bags.
What goes in the green general waste bin in Southwark?
Things that can't be recycled, in a bin bag: plastic film, crisp packets, polystyrene, tissues, nappies. One bin per property.
What goes in the food waste caddy and outdoor food bin in Southwark?
All cooked and uncooked food, bones, teabags, coffee grounds and plate scrapings, in the 5-litre kitchen caddy then the outdoor food bin. No liquids, oils, bags or packaging.
What goes in the brown garden waste bin (subscription) in Southwark?
Grass, weeds, plants, flowers, leaves, prunings and twigs. 240 litres, £84 a year. No food, soil, turf, plastic bags, flower pots or large branches.
What goes in the garden waste sacks in Southwark?
Garden waste only, up to the fill line. £44 for 20 sacks, and you book a collection of up to 20 sacks at a time.
When is my bin day in Southwark?
It depends on your street. Enter your address in London Borough of Southwark's bin day lookup (services.southwark.gov.uk), or use Bin days on Recycle This.