Hillingdon Waste Collection: Bin Days, Missed Bins, Bulky & Recycling
Check your Hillingdon collection day, understand weekly black-bag and clear-bag services, report a missed collection in the correct window, order free recycling bags, sign up for food or garden waste, book bulky collection and compare Harefield, West Drayton, Space Waye and free Pop-Up Waste Drop options.
How to check Hillingdon bin collection days
Open Hillingdon Council’s collection-day lookup and search the exact property. Household rubbish, clear recycling bags, garden waste and food waste are collected on the same assigned weekday where the property uses those services.
Collections begin at 6am, so everything must be ready at the front boundary before the crew arrives.
Set up your Hillingdon waste collection routine
Complete these steps once for your exact property. This prevents early presentation, recycling contamination and missed reports that cannot be accepted.
Find the exact property collection day
Use the official address lookup rather than relying on another house or a general area schedule.
Check the official collection dayOrder the correct free recycling supplies
Hillingdon uses clear bags for dry mixed recycling and separate caddies and liners for signed-up food-waste households.
Order recycling bags or food-waste setsPrepare every service for the same weekday
General rubbish, clear recycling, food waste and subscribed garden waste are normally collected on the same property-specific day.
Check all available waste servicesUse the front-boundary and 6am rule
Place securely tied bags and food containers at the front boundary before 6am. Keep pavements and entrances clear.
Read household collection instructionsKnow the missed-collection window
Wait until after 1:30pm on collection day. Report a genuine miss within 72 hours.
Open the missed-collection formWhat is collected and when?
Hillingdon operates weekly household rubbish and clear-bag recycling. Food waste is also weekly after sign-up, while garden waste follows a paid seasonal schedule.
| Service | Normal frequency | How to present it | Main caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| General rubbish | Weekly | Large, securely tied black bags at the front boundary by 6am. | Keep recyclable, electrical, hazardous and bulky items out. |
| Clear dry recycling | Weekly | Clean, dry and empty items mixed in council clear recycling bags. | Do not include food, textiles, nappies, film or polystyrene. |
| Food waste | Weekly after sign-up | External food bin at the front boundary by 6am. | Use the supplied caddy liners and keep liquids out. |
| Garden waste | Weekly April–November; fortnightly December–February; weekly March 2027 | Tagged reusable council sacks, each no more than 15kg. | A valid paid subscription and orange tag are required. |
Bank-holiday warning: collection dates can move. Check the live collection-day page rather than assuming the normal weekday still applies.
Save your next Hillingdon bin day
Confirm the official date first. This tool then stores a household reminder locally in your browser.
My next collection
Tonight’s preparation checklist
No collection saved. Check the official address lookup and add the confirmed date.
What can go in Hillingdon recycling bags?
Paper, card, cans, glass, cartons and accepted rigid plastic packaging can all be mixed in the same clear recycling bag.
Paper and cardboard
Paper, newspapers, magazines, catalogues, directories, books, envelopes, shredded paper, cardboard and cartons.
Metal packaging
Food tins, drinks cans, clean aluminium foil, foil trays and empty aerosol cans that have not been pierced or crushed.
Glass and plastic packaging
Glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays and non-black plastic plant pots.
Keep out
Food, clothes, nappies, crisp packets, bubble wrap, shopping bags, polystyrene, toys, wood, hard plastic and clinical waste.
| Common item | Correct route | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard box | Flatten and place in a clear recycling bag. | Flattening saves space and prevents bags splitting. |
| Glass bottle or jar | Clear recycling bag; place lids separately in the same bag. | Bottles and jars are accepted in mixed dry recycling. |
| Plastic pot, tub or tray | Clear recycling bag if clean, dry and empty. | Rigid household packaging is accepted. |
| Shopping bag or film | Supermarket soft-plastic collection where available. | Flexible plastic is not accepted in clear bags. |
| Clothes or linen | Book the free TRAID home collection. | Textiles contaminate clear-bag recycling. |
| Small electrical item | Use a library electrical-recycling bin or civic amenity site. | Electricals must not enter general or clear-bag collections. |
Which collection or disposal service should I use?
Select an item
Result: Select an item first.
Fast sorting rule
- Clean packaging: clear recycling bag.
- Food: signed-up food-waste service.
- Garden waste: subscribed tagged sacks.
- Reusable textiles: free TRAID home collection.
- Electrical, bulky or DIY waste: separate collection or drop-off route.
How to report a missed bin in Hillingdon
Only report a genuine miss after checking presentation, collection time and the reporting window.
| Check | What it means | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Was everything out by 6am? | Late bags or containers may not qualify. | Prepare earlier on the next collection day. |
| Is it after 1:30pm? | Crews may still be working before that time. | Wait until the reporting window opens. |
| Is it within 72 hours? | The standard online reporting window is still open. | Submit the official form promptly. |
| Was the waste correctly sorted? | Contaminated recycling or garden waste can be rejected. | Remove the incorrect item before the next collection. |
| Was access clear? | Locked gates or hidden bags can prevent collection. | Move waste to the accessible front boundary. |
| Was it genuinely missed? | Correct date, presentation and reporting time. | Report it; the council aims to return within two working days. |
Missed collection diagnosis
Result: Select the closest situation.
Prepare before submitting
- Full address and postcode
- Scheduled collection date
- Waste stream that was missed
- Confirmation it was out before 6am
- Any rejection tag or contamination issue
- Previous report reference if reporting a failed return
Order Hillingdon clear bags, food caddies and liners
Residents can order domestic recycling bags, replacement food caddies, caddy liners and complete food-waste starter sets online.
Clear recycling bags
Use only for clean, dry mixed recycling. Do not use them for rubbish, garden waste or textiles.
Food-waste starter set
New users receive a kitchen caddy, caddy liners and an external storage bin.
Automatic bag deliveries
Sign up once for automatic deliveries of clear recycling bags and food-waste liners.
Do not overfill
Tie bags securely and keep sharp glass or heavy items from splitting the bag during lifting.
Food caddy sign-up, accepted items and collection rules
Food-waste recycling is a separate free service. New users receive an indoor caddy, liners and an external bin.
| Food-waste question | Practical answer | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| What is accepted? | Raw and cooked meat, fish, bones, fruit, vegetables, bread, rice, pasta, dairy, eggshells, tea bags and coffee grounds. | Do not include packaging or liquids. |
| Where does it go? | Use the lined kitchen caddy, then transfer tied liners to the external food bin. | Do not put loose food directly into clear recycling. |
| When is it collected? | Weekly on the property’s normal collection day. | Do not assume a neighbouring address shares the same day. |
| Where is it presented? | At the front property boundary before 6am. | Do not hide it behind a locked gate. |
| How do I reduce smells? | Tie liners, close lids and rinse the caddy regularly. | Do not leave uncovered food accessible to flies or foxes. |
Hillingdon garden-waste cost, sacks, tags and frequency
The 2026/27 service runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 and costs £77 per property subscription.
| Subscription detail | 2026/27 rule | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| Annual price | £77 for the subscription year. | Pay by card or annual Direct Debit. |
| Main season | Weekly from 1 April to 30 November 2026. | Use the normal property collection day. |
| Winter service | Fortnightly during December, January and February. | Check the live calendar for the correct winter week. |
| Christmas suspension | Collections suspended from 21 December to 3 January. | Store waste safely or use an approved drop-off site. |
| Sacks and tags | A property can use up to six reusable 90-litre sacks with valid orange tags. | Write the address on each tag and attach it to the sack handle. |
| Maximum weight | 15kg per sack. | Split heavy grass or wet leaves between sacks. |
Accepted garden waste
Grass, hedge clippings, leaves, twigs, small branches, dead flowers and weeds.
Keep out
Soil, mud, stones, rubble, gravel, food, plant pots, plastic bags, turf and animal waste.
Branch size
Do not include branches larger than 9cm in diameter or longer than 50cm.
Rejected sack
Remove contamination or excess weight before presenting the sack on the next collection.
Hillingdon bulky-waste price, item limit and booking rules
The council collects large domestic items from outside the property Monday to Friday. One booking covers either one fridge or freezer alone, or up to six other accepted items.
| Customer | Current price | What the slot covers |
|---|---|---|
| Hillingdon resident | £53 | One fridge/freezer only or up to six other accepted bulky items. |
| Resident aged over 65 | £39 | Same item rules, subject to eligibility. |
| Landlord | £94 | One domestic collection slot. |
Accepted examples
Beds, mattresses, drawers, armchairs, sofas, wardrobes and washing machines.
Smaller unwanted items
Three black bags of smaller items can replace one bulky item in the six-item allowance.
Collection position
Leave items at the property boundary, accessible and at ground-floor level by 6am.
Amendment deadline
Change the booking by midday on the previous day. Late changes may not qualify for a refund.
Which bulky route is best?
Result: Select your situation.
Before confirming payment
- List every item accurately.
- Do not combine a fridge or freezer with other items.
- Keep items at ground level.
- Place them outside by 6am.
- Do not block the pavement.
- Amend the booking by midday on the previous day.
Hillingdon Pop-Up Waste Drop dates
The mobile service visits borough locations every two weeks from 10am to 2pm. Residents can bring up to five accepted items per household; one rubbish bag counts as one item.
2026
Lake Farm Country Park car park, Hayes
Botwell Common Road, Hayes, UB3 1JA. Check the official event page before travelling.
2026
Court Park car park, Uxbridge
Uxbridge, UB10 9JX. Service time listed as 10am to 2pm.
2026
Northwood Hills Masjid and Community Centre
Joel Street, Northwood, HA6 1NL.
2026
Charville Community Centre, Hayes
Bury Avenue, Hayes, UB4 8LF.
2026
Pinkwell Park car park, Hayes
Waltham Avenue, Hayes, UB3 1TF.
2026
Deane Park car park, Ruislip
Long Drive, Ruislip, HA4 0HS.
Accepted
Small electricals, TVs, furniture, mattresses, bagged carpet, white goods, broken toys, wood, glass, textiles, scrap metal and garden equipment.
Five-item limit
Residents can bring up to five items per household. One bag of rubbish counts as one item.
Check the date
Locations and dates can change. Open the live page before loading the vehicle.
Harefield, West Drayton and Space Waye options
Harefield is the main year-round borough civic amenity site. West Drayton operates at weekends, and Space Waye near Heathrow becomes available to Hillingdon residents from 15 July 2026.
Harefield Civic Amenity Site
Address: New Years Green Lane, Harefield, UB9 6LX
- Open Monday to Sunday, 8am–4pm.
- Last resident entry is 3:45pm.
- Do not arrive before 7:45am.
- Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
- Proof of Hillingdon residence may be required.
- Reuse centre available on site.
| Site | Opening arrangement | Important rule |
|---|---|---|
| Harefield Civic Amenity Site | Daily, 8am–4pm; last resident entry 3:45pm. | Domestic waste accepted except asbestos and gas cylinders; trade rules and DIY charges apply. |
| West Drayton waste weekends | Saturday and Sunday, 9am–4pm; closed bank holidays. | Hillingdon proof of address required; no vans or trade vehicles. |
| Space Waye near Heathrow | From 15 July 2026, daily 8am–3:30pm. | No booking Monday–Thursday; booking required Friday–Sunday and bank holidays. |
New July 2026 option: Space Waye is at North Feltham Trading Estate, Pier Road off Faggs Road, Feltham, TW14 0TH. Check the official page before relying on the start date or booking rule.
Special Hillingdon collections residents often miss
Assisted collections
Residents unable to move waste to the boundary because of disability, health or mobility issues can request collection from outside the front door.
Clinical waste and sharps
Hillingdon offers free regular and one-off household clinical-waste collections, including sharps arrangements.
Free textile collection
TRAID collects unwanted clothing, shoes, accessories and linen from the home, including textiles that are no longer reusable.
Small electricals
Use participating library recycling bins for cables, kettles, hairdryers, tools, phones, laptops and other small devices.
How Hillingdon collects food waste separately
Food-waste collection vehicles
The council video explains its investment in vehicles that collect food waste separately from garden waste.
Use the current collection-day lookup for live dates and presentation instructions.
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Practical collection tips across Hillingdon
Uxbridge and Hayes flats
Confirm whether the building uses individual sacks or communal bins. Follow the bin-store labels and managing-agent instructions.
Ruislip and Northwood garden waste
Split wet grass between sacks to keep every bag under the 15kg limit.
West Drayton weekend site
Bring proof of address and avoid vans. The site is closed Monday to Friday and on bank holidays.
Harefield DIY waste
Keep construction material separate from domestic waste. Mixed loads can be weighed and charged at trade-waste rates.
No front garden
Place tied bags on the pavement no earlier than 5:30pm on the evening before collection.
Fox-prone streets
Use secure bags, keep food in the external caddy and avoid leaving rubbish outside earlier than permitted.
New-build address missing
Do not select a nearby property with a different round. Contact the council to confirm the service setup.
Repeated missed collections
Save report references and dates. Use the failed-missed-collection form if the promised return collection also fails.
Hillingdon waste links for final actions
Information checked: 26 June 2026. Collection changes, Pop-Up dates, garden-waste prices, bulky charges and recycling-centre access can change. Check the linked council page before paying, booking or travelling.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my Hillingdon bin collection day?
Use Hillingdon Council’s collection-day lookup and select the exact property. Household rubbish, clear recycling, food waste and subscribed garden waste are normally collected on the same assigned weekday.
What time should rubbish and recycling be put out in Hillingdon?
Place securely tied bags and containers at the front property boundary before 6am. Where there is no front garden, bags can be placed on the pavement after 5:30pm on the previous evening.
How often does Hillingdon collect household rubbish?
General household rubbish and clear-bag dry mixed recycling are normally collected every week.
When can I report a missed Hillingdon collection?
A missed rubbish, recycling, food or garden-waste collection can be reported after 1:30pm on the scheduled day and within 72 hours of the miss.
How do I get free Hillingdon recycling bags?
Use the council’s recycling-bag order form or sign up for automatic deliveries of clear recycling bags and food-waste liners.
How much is Hillingdon garden-waste collection?
The 2026/27 subscription costs £77 and runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. A property can use up to six tagged reusable garden-waste sacks.
How much does Hillingdon bulky-waste collection cost?
The current price is £53 for residents, £39 for residents aged over 65 and £94 for landlords. One slot covers one fridge or freezer alone, or up to six other accepted items.
Where can I dispose of bulky items for free in Hillingdon?
Check the borough’s Pop-Up Waste Drop schedule. Residents can bring up to five accepted items per household at listed mobile drop-off sessions.
What are Harefield Civic Amenity Site opening hours?
Harefield is normally open every day from 8am to 4pm, with last resident entry at 3:45pm. It closes on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Can I request help moving my bags to the collection point?
Yes. Residents unable to move rubbish or recycling to the boundary because of disability, health or mobility issues can request an assisted collection from outside the front door.