Lewisham Waste Collection: Bin Days, Missed Bins, Bulky & Recycling
Check your Lewisham bin collection day, understand weekly food and recycling collections, report a missed bin inside the 48-hour window, sort green, grey and black bins correctly, calculate bulky-waste charges and plan a free visit to Landmann Way Reuse and Recycling Centre.
Live Lewisham notice checked 26 June 2026: collection crews are temporarily starting earlier during hot weather, so place bins out by 5:30am. New green recycling-bin orders are also temporarily paused because of high demand. Recheck the council page for the latest status.
How to check Lewisham bin collection days by address
Open Lewisham Council’s bin collection checker and select the exact property.
The result confirms rubbish, recycling, food-waste and subscribed garden-waste dates. Do not rely only on a neighbouring road or building.
Set up your Lewisham waste collection routine step by step
Complete this process once for your exact house, converted flat, estate block or flat above a shop.
Check the exact address
Use the official collection checker and confirm the property rather than copying a neighbour’s schedule.
Open the official collection checkerConfirm your property’s container type
Houses normally use individual bins. Estates and larger blocks usually use communal containers. Flats above shops can receive sacks.
Check bins by property typeSeparate weekly and fortnightly services
Recycling and food waste are normally weekly. General rubbish is every other week where a separate food-waste service operates.
Review the collection patternSort every container correctly
Remove food, batteries, electrical items, textiles and garden waste from the green recycling bin.
Open the official bin guidePlace bins at the property edge
The standard rule is before 6am. During the current hot-weather notice, put containers outside by 5:30am until the council removes the alert.
Check the current set-out noticeHow often are rubbish, recycling, food and garden bins collected?
Green recycling bin
Normally collected every week from kerbside properties.
Grey food-waste bin
Normally collected every week where the separate food service is operating.
Black or blue rubbish bin
Normally collected every other week, or weekly where no separate food service exists.
Brown garden-waste bin
Paid subscribers receive weekly collections during the 2026/27 subscription year.
| Waste service | Normal frequency | Container | Important rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recycling | Weekly | 240-litre green bin or clear sacks. | Contaminated bins can be tagged and left. |
| Food waste | Weekly | 23-litre grey outdoor bin or communal food bin. | Do not put packaging, liquids, nappies or garden waste inside. |
| General rubbish | Every other week in most kerbside properties. | 180-litre black bin, blue bin or orange sacks. | Properties without food collections may retain weekly rubbish collection. |
| Garden waste | Weekly for active subscribers. | 240-litre brown bin with current permit sticker. | No active subscription means the garden bin can be removed. |
Bank holidays: collection dates can move during special holidays. Use the address checker for the final date rather than counting forward manually.
Save your next Lewisham bin collection reminder
Confirm the date through the official checker first. This tool stores your note in the current browser only.
My next collection
Before the crew arrives
No reminder saved. Check your address and enter the confirmed date.
What goes in the green, grey and black bins?
Lewisham collects dry recycling together in the green bin. Food, general rubbish and garden waste must remain separate.
Green recycling bin or clear sack
Paper, magazines, newspapers, envelopes, clean cardboard, egg boxes, glass bottles and jars, cans, plastic bottles, shampoo bottles, yoghurt pots, tubs and clean plastic food containers.
Grey food-waste bin
Raw or cooked food, fruit and vegetable peelings, leftovers, bread, rice, pasta, meat, fish, bones, dairy products, tea bags and coffee grounds.
Black or blue rubbish bin
Household waste that cannot be recycled. Keep out food waste, garden waste, batteries, oils, metal, electricals, liquids, rubble and hazardous waste.
Brown garden-waste bin
Grass, leaves, plants, prunings, weeds, small branches, hedge trimmings and fallen fruit for paid subscribers.
| Common mistake | Correct route | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Food in green recycling bin | Use the grey food-waste bin. | Food contamination can cause the entire green bin to be rejected. |
| Plastic carrier bags in recycling | Reuse them or use an appropriate retailer collection point. | Plastic film and carrier bags are not accepted in the green bin. |
| Dirty pizza box | Put heavily food-soiled cardboard in general rubbish. | Dirty cardboard contaminates paper recycling. |
| Small electrical item in recycling | Use a public electrical recycling bank or Landmann Way. | Electricals and batteries are not accepted in the green bin. |
| Broken glass in recycling | Wrap safely and follow the council A–Z route. | Window glass, Pyrex, ceramics and broken glass are not accepted. |
| Soil or plant pots in garden bin | Take accepted material to Landmann Way. | Soil, plastic pots and ceramics are excluded from garden collections. |
Which bin or service should I use?
Select a common item for a fast route. Use the official A–Z for unusual, hazardous or changing materials.
Choose an item
Result: Select an item above.
Fast sorting rule
- Clean paper, glass, cans and rigid packaging: green recycling bin.
- Food: grey food-waste bin.
- Garden material: subscribed brown bin.
- Reusable furniture: donate before disposal.
- Electrical, bulky, DIY or hazardous items: separate specialist route.
Wait, report or correct the bin?
Collections can happen at any time during the day. Wait until 2pm before reporting and submit each missed container separately.
| Check | What it means | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Is it before 2pm? | The crew may still collect later. | Wait until after 2pm. |
| Was the bin out by the required time? | Late presentation may not qualify as missed. | Use the next scheduled collection. |
| Was it at the property edge? | Crews cannot normally enter the property boundary. | Correct the location next time. |
| Does it have a red tag? | Incorrect items were found inside. | Remove contamination for the next scheduled date. |
| Were several bins missed? | Each service needs a separate report. | Submit one report per container. |
| Are you within 48 hours? | The official reporting window remains open. | Submit the missed-bin report now. |
Missed-bin diagnosis
Result: Select the closest situation.
Prepare before reporting
- Full address and collection date
- Container type
- Confirmation it was out on time
- Confirmation it was at the property edge
- Whether a red tag was attached
- A separate report for every missed bin
Expected response: Lewisham’s service standards say reported missed collections are investigated, but recovery timing depends on the recorded issue and service conditions.
Order a rubbish bin, food caddy or replacement container
| Container | Standard size | Current administration cost | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubbish bin | 180-litre black wheelie bin | £30 | Available for eligible houses or converted flats. |
| Recycling bin | 240-litre green wheelie bin | £30 | New orders were temporarily paused when checked because of stock demand. |
| Food-waste kit | 23-litre outdoor bin plus 5-litre kitchen caddy | Free | Arrangement depends on property type. |
| Replacement garden bin | 240-litre brown bin | £30 | A separate active annual subscription is required. |
Current recycling-bin delay: Lewisham temporarily paused new green-bin orders because of high demand and supplier stock. Some existing orders were taking more than 20 days.
Lewisham waste collection by property type
House or converted house
Normally uses an individual green recycling bin, black rubbish bin and grey food-waste container.
Estate or larger block
Usually uses communal rubbish and recycling containers. Food-waste arrangements can vary during the borough-wide rollout.
Flat above a shop
Properties without space for bins can receive orange rubbish sacks and clear recycling sacks, normally delivered quarterly.
Privately managed block
Landlords or managing agents should report missed communal collections to recycle@lewisham.gov.uk.
Communal bin-store rule: do not leave rubbish on the floor or on top of bins. It can block collections, attract vermin and prevent neighbours using the containers.
Food caddy liners, smells, foxes and flats
Food waste is collected weekly and turned into green energy and agricultural fertiliser through anaerobic digestion.
| Food-waste question | Practical answer | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| What goes in? | Raw and cooked food, peelings, leftovers, meat, fish, bones, bread, rice, pasta, dairy, tea bags and coffee grounds. | No packaging, nappies, animal waste, garden waste or liquids. |
| Which liner can I use? | Lining is optional. Use a clear bag, reused bread bag or newspaper. | Do not use black bags. |
| Which bin goes outside? | Use the 23-litre outdoor bin or the shared communal food bin. | Do not leave the indoor kitchen caddy out for collection. |
| How do I reduce smells? | Keep the caddy cool, close the lid and rinse it with hot soapy water after emptying. | Do not leave hot, wet tea bags steaming inside. |
| How do I stop foxes? | Lock the outdoor lid and keep communal food-bin lids closed. | Do not leave loose food bags beside the container. |
2026/27 price, weekly collections and brown-bin rules
The subscription year runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 and provides 52 weekly collections, subject to holiday schedule changes.
| Garden-waste detail | 2026/27 information | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| Annual subscription | £100.63 | Pay the current one-off price through the official service. |
| Collection frequency | Weekly | Use the address checker for bank-holiday changes. |
| Container | 240-litre brown bin | Display the current permit sticker clearly. |
| New-bin delivery | Normally within 10 working days | Allow extra time during periods of high demand. |
| Direct Debit | Four-instalment option closed for the current sign-up window | Check whether a one-off payment is the available option. |
Accepted
Grass, leaves, plants, prunings, weeds, small branches, hedge trimmings and fallen fruit.
Not accepted
Food, soil, rubble, plastics, nappies, cat litter, dog waste, furniture, timber, ceramics and invasive plants.
No active permit
A brown garden bin without a valid permit sticker can be removed by the council.
Home composting
Composting grass, leaves and plant trimmings can reduce subscription costs and repeat disposal trips.
£5 items, fridge charges and collection preparation
Lewisham reduced most bulky-item charges to £5. Donate usable furniture before paying for disposal.
| Item type | Charge | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress | £5 each | Any standard mattress size. |
| Other large household item | £5 each | Examples include carpets, chairs, beds and sofas. |
| Fridge or freezer | £25 each | American-style and double-door units are not collected. |
| Business or landlord item | Household service unavailable | Use a licensed commercial waste carrier. |
Bulky-waste cost calculator
Estimate: Enter the number of items.
Before collection day
- Place items outside the property.
- Keep them visible and accessible.
- Do not expect crews to enter the home.
- Remove sharp or dangerous hazards.
- Tell the council if items are in an unlocked bin chamber.
- Check the booking carefully because fees are non-refundable.
Reuse first: usable textiles, shoes, books, tools, toys, small electricals and bric-a-brac may qualify for a free charity collection or local donation route.
Landmann Way opening times, booking and waste rules
Landmann Way Reuse and Recycling Centre in New Cross is free for Lewisham residents and does not require advance booking.
Landmann Way Reuse and Recycling Centre
Address: Civic Amenities Site, Landmann Way, London, SE14 5RS
- No booking required
- Free for Lewisham residents
- Photo ID and proof of address required
- Cars: Sunday–Friday, 8am–3:30pm
- Cars: Saturday, 8am–11:30am
- Vans, bikes and pedestrians: Sunday–Friday, 8am–3pm
- Vans, bikes and pedestrians: Saturday, 8am–11am
- Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
| Visit rule | Landmann Way requirement |
|---|---|
| Resident evidence | Bring photo ID and proof of a Lewisham address. |
| Vans | Maximum four visits per year. Hired vans need hire evidence, ID and address proof. |
| Commercial vehicles | Commercially signed vans, pickups, minibuses and trailers are not allowed. |
| DIY waste | Maximum four DIY visits in four weeks, with one large item up to 200cm × 75cm or up to 100 litres per visit. |
| Unloading | Staff cannot help unload. Children and animals must remain in the vehicle. |
| Site safety | Follow the 5mph limit, use walkways and do not remove items from containers. |
Accepted examples
Furniture, mattresses, electricals, empty fridges, garden waste, glass, cardboard, plastics, metal, soil, bricks, tools, textiles, wood and used cooking oil.
Not accepted
Hazardous waste, paint, solvents, plasterboard, turf, pallets, car batteries, landlord waste and trade waste.
Landlord warning
Waste left after a tenancy ends becomes commercial waste and cannot be taken to the household centre.
Private contractor warning
Waste removed by a paid contractor is trade waste, even when it originally came from a resident’s home.
Help for residents unable to move bins
Lewisham can collect containers from an agreed accessible location when disability, frailty or physical impairment prevents a resident moving them to the boundary.
Who can apply?
Residents unable to move rubbish, recycling, food or garden bins because of disability, frailty or physical impairment.
Household help test
The service is not normally provided when another person in the household can present and retrieve the bins.
Accessible location
Crews need easy access. Bins placed at the rear of a property cannot be collected through this service.
House-number label
Clearly label each bin so the crew can return it to the correct agreed location.
Setup time: allow up to 10 working days for Lewisham to arrange the assisted collection.
See the borough’s waste and recycling crews at work
Thanks to Lewisham’s waste and recycling crews
This council video explains the role of the borough’s environmental-services collection teams.
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Practical collection advice across Lewisham borough
Deptford and New Cross
Landmann Way is nearby, but take resident ID and separate the vehicle load before arriving.
Catford and Hither Green
Do not assume nearby roads share the same fortnightly rubbish date. Check the exact address.
Brockley and Telegraph Hill
On terraced streets, label bins with the house number and avoid blocking the pavement overnight.
Forest Hill and Sydenham
Keep fox-attracting food inside the lockable grey food bin rather than general-waste sacks.
Downham and Bellingham estates
Keep communal bin areas clear. Report damaged or missing estate bins through the landlord or housing manager.
Flats above shops
Use the issued clear and orange sacks and follow the quarterly bag-delivery arrangement.
Hot-weather collections
Check the live notice before bed. The temporary set-out time can return from 5:30am to the normal 6am.
Repeated missed bins
Keep dates and reference numbers. Use the formal complaint route only after normal reports fail to resolve the issue.
Lewisham Council waste links for final actions
Information checked: 26 June 2026. Hot-weather collection times, recycling-bin availability, fees and service restrictions can change. Use the linked council page for the final live result or transaction.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my Lewisham bin collection day?
Use Lewisham Council’s collection-day checker and select the exact address. The result shows rubbish, recycling, food-waste and subscribed garden-waste dates.
What time should Lewisham bins be put out?
The normal rule is before 6am at the property edge. During the hot-weather notice checked on 26 June 2026, residents were asked to put bins out by 5:30am until further notice.
How often are Lewisham recycling and food bins collected?
Recycling and food waste are normally collected every week. General household rubbish is normally collected every other week where a separate food-waste service operates.
When can I report a missed Lewisham bin?
Wait until 2pm on the scheduled collection day and report the missed container within 48 hours. If several bins were missed, report each one separately.
What does a red tag on my Lewisham bin mean?
A red tag means the bin contained incorrect items and was not collected. Remove the contamination and present it again on the next scheduled collection date.
How much does a replacement Lewisham bin cost?
A standard rubbish or recycling wheelie bin has a £30 administration charge. A food-waste kit is free, while a replacement garden bin costs £30 in addition to the annual subscription.
How much is Lewisham garden-waste collection in 2026?
The 2026/27 annual subscription costs £100.63 and provides weekly collections using a 240-litre brown bin with a valid permit sticker.
How much does Lewisham bulky-waste collection cost?
Mattresses and most other large household items cost £5 each. Domestic fridges and freezers cost £25 each, but American-style and double-door units are not accepted.
Do I need to book Landmann Way recycling centre?
No advance booking is required. The centre is free for Lewisham residents, but you must bring photo ID and proof of address.
Can I take a van or trailer to Landmann Way?
Vans are limited to four visits per year. Hired vans need hire evidence, ID and proof of address. Commercially signed vehicles, pickups, minibuses and trailers are not allowed.