Household waste

Big Black Bins

There are over 150 Big Black Bin sites located around the city. These large bins are for residential use only in particular for 'multiple occupancy' properties that have no storage facilities for their own waste. All new buildings must be built with waste storage facilities in order to obtain planning consent, but there are still a large number of properties where appropriate storage facilities are not in place.

These bins are emptied up to 3 times a day, 7 days per week including Christmas day.

Big Black Bins are for bagged domestic rubbish only. If you have paper & cardboard, glass bottles & jars, cans & tins or clothing to dispose of please use the appropriate recycling bin at a Micro Recycling Centre. Please visit our Recycling pages for more information.

Big Black Bins are not for commercial, builders or trade waste. If you believe that someone is using a Big Black Bin for builders or trade waste please contact the Environment Action Line on 020 7641 2000 with vehicle registration details if possible.

Big Black Bins should not be used for bulky household waste (e.g. sofas, beds) but you can put smaller household items inside them. If you have an item of bulky household waste to dispose of please contact the Environment Action Line or visit the page on Special Collection Services.