Check the right LCCC bin day before collection morning
Use this guide to find your Lisburn & Castlereagh bin collection dates, download the correct Week A–D calendar, check holiday changes and understand why a bin or box may be left behind.
This page is not Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council. It explains official public information in plain English and sends you to council pages only for live lookup, forms, bookings, payments and final confirmation.
Quick start: choose the bin task you need
Lisburn & Castlereagh collections are not a single district-wide date. Your result depends on the address, collection week, container system and any holiday notice.
I need my collection dates
- Open the official collection day page.
- Choose the bin/wheelie-box lookup or kerbie-box lookup.
- Enter the first line of address and postcode.
- Save the correct Week A, B, C or D calendar only after the address result confirms it.
I need today’s collection time
- Use the 6am set-out deadline.
- Place the right bin, wheelie box or kerbie box at the correct point.
- Close lids and turn handles towards the roadside.
- Do not add side waste unless a council disruption notice allows it.
My bin was not collected
- Check the address calendar and holiday notice first.
- Look for a contamination sticker or card.
- Check side waste, open lid, blocked access or wrong material.
- Contact LCCC with the exact address, bin type and collection date.
I need to order or replace a container
- Green recycling bins, brown bins, kerbie boxes, wheelie boxes and caddies use the council order route.
- Residual landfill bins are normally bought privately after checking the correct size.
- Extra brown collection and extra residual capacity have separate rules.
How to check Lisburn & Castlereagh bin collection dates
The official collection page has different lookup routes for bins/wheelie boxes and kerbie boxes. Choosing the wrong route can produce the wrong week or missed holiday adjustment.
Open the official collection page
Start at “Collection days and holiday information.” It contains the live lookup, Week A–D calendars and holiday tables.
Choose the right container system
Use the bin/wheelie-box route if your home uses wheeled bins or wheelie boxes. Use the separate kerbie-box route if your recycling is collected in kerbie boxes.
Enter address and postcode carefully
Use the first line of the address and the correct postcode. Flats, rural homes, similar street names and new developments can lead to wrong selections.
Confirm Week A, B, C or D
Download the Week A, B, C or D calendar only after your address result shows which week applies. Do not guess from a neighbour.
Check holiday dates before saving
Holiday tables can move normal collections to a Saturday, Sunday or another alternative day. Save the revised date separately.
Lisburn & Castlereagh bin collection times today
The practical “time” is the set-out deadline. LCCC policy says the appropriate bin or box should be out by 6am on collection day. The council does not publish a guaranteed lorry time for every street.
| User question | Answer | What to do now |
|---|---|---|
| What time should bins be out? | By 6am on collection day. | Put the right container out the evening before if safe and not obstructive. |
| Where do I put it? | Kerbside or curtilage of the property, using the normal collection point. | Keep it visible, reachable and not hidden by cars, gates or walls. |
| How should the bin face? | Handles towards the roadside, lid fully closed. | Do not wedge the lid open with excess waste. |
| Can I leave extra bags? | No routine side waste is collected. | Use bulky, HRC, extra-capacity or official disruption instructions instead. |
| What if crews are late? | Operational delays can happen. | Check service updates and leave containers available if an official notice says so. |
Holiday and Christmas bin collection changes
Holiday changes are a major reason people search for “bin collection times today.” LCCC publishes holiday tables separately from normal Week A–D calendars.
| Period | Officially listed example | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| July 2026 bank holiday | Monday 13 July moved to Saturday 11 July. Tuesday 14 July moved to Saturday 18 July and Sunday 19 July for residual, mixed recycling and brown bins. | If not emptied on the scheduled alternative day, keep it at the collection point until emptied. |
| Kerbie / wheelie boxes in July 2026 | Monday 13 July moved to Saturday 11 July; Tuesday 14 July listed as normal. | Do not assume bin and box changes are the same. |
| May and August 2026 bank holidays | The official table lists Monday 4 May, Monday 25 May and Monday 31 August as normal for bin collections. | Still recheck your address page before collection week. |
| Christmas and New Year | Festive tables are published for the specific year and can pause or move some services. | Do not reuse last year’s festive calendar for Christmas 2026. |
Put bins and boxes out correctly
Many “not collected” issues are presentation problems. Use this checklist before 6am.
- Put the correct bin, wheelie box or kerbie box out by 6am on the scheduled collection day.
- Use the normal kerbside or curtilage collection point for your property.
- Keep lids fully closed.
- Turn handles towards the roadside.
- Make sure wheels, axles, lids and handles are in working condition.
- Do not leave additional side waste unless the council announces an exceptional arrangement.
- Do not use wheelie-bin liners in recycling bins.
- For landfill bins, a liner must be tied closed, contained within the bin and the lid must close.
- Remove wrong items before collection morning.
- Park considerately so collection vehicles can reach the street.
Bin, box and caddy types: what each route is for
LCCC uses several container systems: residual landfill bins, mixed dry recycling bins, brown food/garden bins, 23L food bins, kitchen caddies, wheelie boxes and kerbie boxes. Always follow the container serving your address.
| Container | Main use | Keep out | Micro tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landfill / residual bin | Non-recyclable household waste that cannot use recycling, food/garden, bulky or HRC routes. | Food waste, recyclables, batteries, vapes, electricals, hazardous waste and bulky items. | The council operates a single landfill-bin policy unless extra capacity is approved. |
| Green mixed dry recycling bin | Accepted dry recycling from the council’s item guide. | Black bags, food waste, garden waste, non-target materials and wheelie-bin liners. | Use the official item search when unsure. |
| Brown food and garden waste bin | Food waste, garden waste and accepted compostable paper/card items listed by the council. | Plastic packaging, pet waste, rubble, soil, treated wood, chemicals, Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed. | Only council caddy liners should be used for food waste. |
| Kitchen caddy | Indoor food waste before transferring to the brown bin or food bin. | Packaging, liquids and non-food waste. | Tie the liner when it is about three-quarters full. |
| Kerbie boxes / wheelie boxes | Recycling for homes served by box collections. | Anything not listed for your box system. | Use the separate kerbie-box lookup and labels, not only the bin calendar. |
Quick waste item route helper
Choose a common item for a safe first route. This is not a live council database, so use the official item search for anything unusual, hazardous, mixed or unclear.
Bin or box not collected: diagnose before contacting
Before calling it a missed collection, check the official calendar, service updates, holiday alternatives and whether the bin was rejected for presentation or contamination.
Missed collection decision helper
This helper does not submit a report. It helps decide whether to wait, correct the bin, or contact the council.
Recheck the official date
Confirm the right day, container and Week A–D pattern. If a holiday table changes the date, follow that alternative date.
Check service updates
If the council has posted a disruption, follow that instruction. Some notices tell residents to leave bins or boxes out until emptied.
Look for a sticker or card
A contamination or zero-tolerance sticker means unsuitable material was found. Remove it and present the container on the next scheduled collection.
Check presentation issues
Late presentation, open lid, side waste, wrong materials, a wheelie-bin liner in recycling, broken bin parts or blocked access can stop collection.
Contact with useful details
Prepare address, postcode, bin/box type, scheduled date, whether neighbours were collected, any sticker/card and photos if helpful.
Contamination stickers, zero tolerance and mop-up collections
The Waste Collection Policy allows crews to visually inspect bins. If the wrong material is found, the container can be left with a non-collection or zero-tolerance sticker.
If a sticker is left
Read the sticker first. It usually means the wrong material must be removed before the bin or box can be emptied.
Remove the wrong item
Examples include food in landfill bins, glass in mixed dry recycling bins before rollout instructions allow it, or non-organic material in brown bins.
Use the next normal collection
The normal route is to correct the contamination and present the container on the next scheduled collection day.
One-off mop-up is limited
Where a genuine mistake has been made and the household cannot wait, the policy says a one-off mop-up may be offered, generally only once in a rolling 12-month period.
Order bins, boxes, caddies and extra capacity
LCCC treats each container differently. Recycling containers are provided by the council, but residual landfill bins are normally bought by the resident after checking the correct size.
| Need | Official rule | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Green recycling bin | Order one or more recycling bins by phone or email. | Phone 028 9244 7300 or email recycling@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk. |
| Brown food/garden bin | One standard brown bin is normally provided per household. | Phone 028 9244 7300 or email recycling@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk. |
| Additional brown bin collection | £60 per year per additional bin collection, subject to route availability. Extra bin supply costs £30 if needed. | Apply only if regular garden waste exceeds one brown bin; surplus garden waste can go to HRCs free. |
| Kitchen caddy and liners | Caddies and biodegradable liners are available from listed council and recycling-centre locations. | Collect from Civic Headquarters, The Cutts, Drumlough, Carryduff or Bradford Court, or phone/email LCCC. |
| Residual / landfill bin | The council does not supply residual bins. Residents buy privately after checking the correct size. | Check size first, especially where 180L trial bins or extra capacity rules apply. |
| Additional residual capacity | May be available for 6+ permanent residents, medical waste or families with young children in nappies. | Apply through the official form; approval is reviewed over time. |
| Home composter | Home composters cost £20 each and payment is required before delivery. | Order online or phone/email the council. |
Bulky collections: free allowance, charges and preparation
The bulky service is for large household items such as furniture and large appliances. It is not a shortcut for rubble, hazardous waste, old-style glass-screen TVs, tyres or DIY renovation waste.
Free allowance
Up to 3 items can be collected at one time free of charge, with a maximum of 3 free collections per household per year.
Extra collection
Additional collections cost £10. The charge is non-refundable and must be paid in advance.
Common accepted examples
Mattresses, upholstered furniture, fridges, freezers, washing machines, cookers, electrical items, carpets, vinyl, underfelt, wood, bicycles and some small miscellaneous items may be accepted if prepared correctly.
Common refusals
American-style fridges, glass table tops, mirrors, older glass-screen TVs, asbestos, chemicals, paints, oil tanks, tyres, car parts, rubble, plasterboard, bricks, soil and garden structures are not suitable for bulky collection.
| Item type | Prepare it this way | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mattresses / upholstered furniture | Keep dry. | Wet items can become too heavy for safe manual handling. |
| Fridges and freezers | Clean inside, remove drawers and shelving, and bag parts as instructed. | Items must be safe, empty and clean for collection crews. |
| Carpet, vinyl and underfelt | Roll or fold and tie, maximum 6 feet long. | Long loose pieces are harder to lift and load. |
| Wood | Bundle and tie where possible, no exposed nails, maximum 4 feet long. | Nails and long boards create crew injury risk. |
| BBQs | Remove gas canisters and bag or bundle grills. | Gas canisters are not accepted as part of the bulky collection. |
Household recycling centres: when bins are not the right route
Use recycling centres for items that do not belong in kerbside bins, extra recyclable material, some oils, rubble, electrical items, paint and other listed materials. Bring proof you live in the council area.
| Centre | Address clue | Useful material notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Cutts | Derriaghy, BT17 9HN. | Accepts plasterboard and cooking oil up to 10L. Does not list car tyres or engine oil on the centre page. |
| Carryduff | 8 Comber Road, BT8 8AN. | Accepts cartons, car tyres, cooking oil up to 10L, engine oil up to 10L and plasterboard. |
| Drumlough | Dromara Road, Hillsborough, BT26 6QA. | Accepts car tyres and engine oil up to 10L. Check live closure notices before travelling. |
Usual opening pattern
Monday to Friday 10am–5pm, Thursday extended to 7pm in spring/summer, Saturday 9am–5pm and Sunday closed. Last entry is 10 minutes before closing.
ID and proof
Sites are for residents of the council area. Bring photographic ID and proof of address where needed.
No walk-in access
The council does not allow people to walk to household recycling facilities for safety reasons.
Children and pets
Children and pets must stay in vehicles. Follow staff directions and avoid climbing on containers or barriers.
Lisburn & Castlereagh bin collection phone number and email
Use the right route so your query reaches the correct team. Most household bin and recycling questions use the main council number and recycling email.
| Need | Official contact | Prepare before calling or emailing |
|---|---|---|
| Household calendar, recycling bins, brown bins, boxes or caddies | 028 9244 7300 or recycling@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk | Address, postcode, bin/box type, week letter if known, and what action you need. |
| General council enquiries | 028 9244 7300 or enquiries@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk | Your name, address, contact details and service area. |
| Bulky collection help | 028 9244 7300 or opservices.reception@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk | Item list, number of items, free-collection use this year and any heavy/glass issues. |
| Trade waste | 028 9244 7436, 028 9244 7433 or trade.waste@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk | Business name, premises, bin size, collection frequency and waste type. |
Assisted collections, medical waste and extra landfill capacity
The official policy has extra detail that many simple SERP pages miss: assisted lifts and extra landfill capacity are not automatic, and evidence may be needed.
Assisted lift collections
Residents can apply when no one in the household can present bins or boxes. The policy requires an application with supporting medical or care evidence, and a risk assessment may be needed.
Additional landfill capacity
A second or larger landfill bin may be considered for six or more permanent residents, medical waste, or families with young children in nappies.
Medical human hygiene waste
The policy allows larger or additional landfill bins for medical human hygiene waste, with the service kept under review and bins surrendered when no longer needed.
Review is ongoing
Approved extra capacity is not a permanent blank cheque. The council can review whether the need still applies.
Household rubbish versus trade waste
Household bin collections are not for business rubbish. If you run a business, charity, school, church hall or other non-domestic operation, the trade waste route may apply.
Household waste
Normal domestic waste from your home, using the household containers and calendar assigned to your address.
Trade waste
Business waste is chargeable, customers provide their own bin, and the council’s trade waste service is for refuse disposal only, not recycling.
2026/27 charge examples
Official trade charges from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 include £6 for a 120/140L bin, £9 for a 240L bin and £32 for an 1100L bin.
Home business warning
Where a business operates from a household, extra bins connected to the business may be treated as commercial and charged at trade rates.
Official Lisburn & Castlereagh links for final action
Use this article to understand the process. Use official pages for live dates, holiday changes, forms, payments, item checks and operational decisions.
Use for bin lookup, kerbie-box lookup, Week A–D calendars and holiday tables.
Use for missed collections, assisted collections, larger residual bins and contaminated-bin guidance.
Use for brown-bin rules, kitchen caddy liners, accepted materials and contamination advice.
Use for item-by-item dry recycling checks before using the green recycling bin.
Use for green bins, brown bins, kerbie boxes, wheelie boxes, kitchen caddies, residual-bin guidance and composters.
Use before booking furniture, appliances, mattresses, carpets, wood or other large items.
Use for live centre hours, temporary closures, accepted materials and last-entry rules.
Use for detailed rules on additional bins, assisted lifts, caddy liners, contamination, mop-up collections, bulky collections and commercial waste.
Lisburn & Castlereagh bin collection FAQs
How do I check my Lisburn & Castlereagh bin collection dates?
What time should Lisburn & Castlereagh bins be out?
What is the Lisburn & Castlereagh Council bin collection phone number?
Which Week A, B, C or D calendar should I download?
What should I do if my bin was not collected today?
Why did my bin or box get a contamination sticker?
What goes in the brown food and garden waste bin?
Can I get an additional brown bin in Lisburn & Castlereagh?
How many bulky collections are free?
Are Christmas bin collection dates the same every year?
Information checked and update note
Information was checked on 7 August 2026 against Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s official collection calendar, holiday information, food/garden bin, mixed dry recycling bin, order-bin, missed-collection help, bulky collection, recycling-centre, trade waste, 2026 kerbside-service update and Waste Collection Policy 2023 pages. Collection dates, holiday changes, fees, phone routes, accepted items and operational rules can change, so use the official links above for final action.