New mixed recycling and rubbish bins

Your kerbside collection day for your mixed recycling, food waste and household rubbish may change over the Christmas season. For further information and to find out how to recycle your real Christmas tree.

Why we introduced the new bins

In March 2022, we ran a trial in Queen’s Park ward and provided households with a blue mixed recycling bin and a black rubbish bin. The aim of the trial was to increase the use of our recycling service, and the results saw a 100% increase in the number of residents recycling.

These new bins help you to recycle more easily and reduce the amount everyone throws away in the rubbish. The bins ensure less is wasted and help us tackle climate change. The new bins also make it neater to store mixed recycling and rubbish outside your homes.

Westminster’s household recycling rate has increased to 25% but we want to increase this even higher, and we have provided you with mixed recycling bins to make it easier for you to recycle.

Who received the new bins

We have completed the deliveries of the new bins across Queen’s Park, Harrow Road, and Westbourne wards. If you have not yet received your bins and you live in Queen’s Park, Harrow Road or Westbourne wards please email the Recycling Team on [email protected] or call our Contact Centre on 020 7641 2000. We cannot offer a bin if there is no space to store the bin outside the property.

Using your new bins

Bag your mixed recycling and household rubbish

Our crews collect your waste by hand, so it is essential that your mixed recycling and household rubbish is put in bags.  Please:

• You do not need to put the bins out on the street on your collection day. To help our crews please ensure that the bins are clearly visible and can be easily accessed to empty.
• Put your recycling in mixed recycling bags and securely tie them. Additional bags can be ordered online or collected from your local library for free.
• Put your rubbish in bin bags and securely tie them. These are not provided by the council.
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Request for your old bins to be removed

Find a suitable place for your new bins on your property. Please make sure they are visible to our collection crews and in a location that our crews can easily access.

Our teams are happy to remove old bins and any black recycling boxes or baskets from your property. 

Please:

• Contact [email protected] or call our Contact Centre on 020 7641 2000 and request their removal.
• Please be specific about the bins or recycling boxes you would like removed.
• If your landlord provides your bins, please check with them first before asking for the bins to be removed.
• We will aim to recycle any old plastic or metal containers removed.

Not started using the new bins yet? Why not give them a go?

We want as many residents to recycle as possible so we can provide a blue recycling bin if you do not want both bins. If you want a black rubbish bin, we encourage you to have both and find out how easy it is to recycle in Westminster.

If you find that the 110L bins are too big, we can provide smaller (85L bin) mixed recycling (blue) and rubbish bins (black).

If you want to continue using your current bins, or don’t have space for the new bins, then you do not have to use them.

Please email the Recycling Team on [email protected] or call our Contact Centre on 020 7641 2000 to request that the new bins can be removed.

What we have provided residents

Each suitable property should have received:

• One 110L blue bin for mixed recycling. Please ensure that recycling continues to be put in our clear mixed recycling bags and securely tied.
• One 110L black bin for household rubbish. Please ensure that your rubbish continues to be put in bags and securely tied.
• Two packs of clear recycling bags. Additional bags can be ordered online or collected from your local library for free.
• One roll of food waste bin liners. Additional liners can be ordered by contacting the Recycling Team or collected from your local library for free. Find out more information about this service.

Please note we will provide one set of bins per two flats. If you would prefer one set of bins per flat, please let us know.

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We have provided some properties with smaller 85L bins where front garden space is limited.

Your new bins, on average, are made from 65% recycled plastics.

Mixed recycling

• Check what you can recycle from your home then give these items a quick rinse and dry, if necessary, and reattach any lids onto plastic bottles. If you have any cardboard boxes, make sure to flatten them.
• Use one of our clear mixed recycling bags and put your mixed recycling items inside.
• Fill the mixed recycling bag up as much as possible before taking them securely tied to the blue mixed recycling bin.
• Don’t put loose items in your bin.
• Additional mixed recycling bags can be picked up from your local library or ordered online.
• About 60% of items can be recycled in Westminster, check what items can be recycled in your household mixed recycling collection, food waste bins and at your local micro-recycling centres.
• There are 160 micro-recycling centres in Westminster which allow you to recycle food, mixed recycling, small electricals, books, and mixed textiles. Check what bins your local centres have before taking items.

Rubbish

• Collect your rubbish in bin bags. We don't provide rubbish bags for residents.
• Don’t put loose items in your bin, put your bag in the bin securely tied.

Food waste

Most properties in Westminster can now recycle their food waste.

Any food can be put in your food waste bin including plate scrapings, eggshells, tea, or coffee grounds.

Depending on your property we provide:

• Silver kitchen food waste bins, 5 litres.
• Black outdoor food waste bins, 23 litres.
• Food waste liners (each roll has 52 liners).

Find out more about the food waste recycling service.

What are your collection days

Your collection days will remain the same. Please remember to ensure:

• Your bin can be easily seen and accessed by the collection crews
• Your recycling and rubbish are bagged and securely tied
• Your bin can be easily seen and accessed by the collections crews. You do not need to put the bins out on the street on your collection day.

What if my new bins get damaged

If your new bins are damaged or go missing we will replace them free of charge. Please contact [email protected] or call our Contact Centre on 020 7641 2000.