Recycling and waste services on estates

Most estates in Westminster will have access to a communal mixed recycling service and communal food waste recycling service. Some of the information on this page may not apply to every Westminster Housing estate. If you are not sure about what services your estate has access to please contact your local Housing Officer or contact the Recycling Team on estaterecycling@westminster.gov.uk.

Mixed recycling

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In Westminster Housing estates, the communal recycling bins are generally large communal bins with a green flap where residents can open and put their mixed recycling in.

We are currently rolling out new bins for housing estates. These new bins aim to make the mixed recycling facilities tidier and provide more information as to what can go in the mixed recycling. The bins have an opening making the disposal of recyclables hands free.

Free reusable recycling bags

Residents who use communal mixed recycling bins, like those on our housing estates, should dispose of their recycling into the recycling bins loose and not in bags. This is to reduce contamination and ensure that the right items are put in the recycling bin and your recycling does not go to waste.

Residents can order a free reusable recycling bag to store their mixed recycling items. The mixed recycling can then be tipped into the communal bins, and the bag can be used again. To order your free bag please email estaterecycling@westminster.gov.uk with your address or pick one up from your nearest housing service centre or Westminster library.

Contact

If find any issues with the bins on your estate such as overflowing or broken bins please contact your housing officer, email estaterecycling@westminster.gov.uk or contact the contact centre on 020 7641 2000.

What can I put in the mixed recycling?

All residents can put the same items in their mixed recycling.

Before recycling:

• rinse out bottles, jars, tins, cans and remove lids, these lids can be put in the mixed recycling
• flatten all cardboard

Put the following in your mixed recycling

• paper and cardboard
• food tins and drinks cans
• mixed glass bottles and jars
• cartons, for example tetra-paks
• plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays
• aerosol cans, they should be empty and not crushed
• aluminium foil, washed and squashed

More information about what goes in mixed recycling

Batteries

Please do not put batteries in your recycling or general rubbish bin. Please take batteries to your nearest library to be recycled.

High street retailers that sell batteries such as Boots, Tesco and Sainsburys also accept batteries for recycling. 

Electronics, textiles and books

Please do not put these items in your mixed recycling bins. Small electronics, textiles, books and more can be recycled in specific on street bins across Westminster.

Visit this page to find out more and to find your nearest micro-recycling centre.

Food waste recycling

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Most housing estates have a communal food waste recycling service where residents can take their food waste to a communal food waste bin. Food waste is recycled into bio-fertiliser and biogas at a anaerobic digestion plant in Hertfordshire.

• Food waste kitchen bins and food waste liners are provided for free. Please email foodwaste@westminster.gov,uk to order your starter pack.
• For food waste liners, please pick them up from your nearest library or estate office.

More information on food waste recycling on estates.

Some housing estates that do not have space for communal food waste bins have access to the neighbourhood service or the on demand service. More information about the different food waste recycling services on offer.