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How collections work

Bin collections will start earlier from week commencing 6 July.
This is because hot weather is expected. Please put your bins out by 5am on collection day during this time.

How bin collections work

When to put your bins and sacks out

What time to put your bin out

You must make sure your bin is out by 7am on your collection day. When possible, put it out the night before.

Find your collection day and time

Collections are every week for recycling and food waste and every two weeks for your general rubbish bin. You can use our lookup service to find your collection day for:

Paper and cardboard (blue sack)
Other recycling (blue lidded bin)
General waste
Food Waste
Garden waste (if you subscribe to this service)

Check your next bin collection day

Where to put your bins for collection

Different properties in Brent have different collections. To find out more about when and where to put your bins out for collection, choose one of the options below that best describes the type of building you live in.

A house (including ones that have been converted into flats)

If you live in a house or in a house converted into flats, you should have the following bins:

blue bin for recycling (or clear bags if you live on the North Circular)
blue sack for recycling paper and cardboard
grey bin for general rubbish
green food waste recycling caddy
green bin for garden waste (paid for service only)

Where you can put your bin or bags

For all collections, you need to put your bins or bags as close to the street as possible or they will not be emptied.

At all other times, you must keep your bins within your garden. Do not leave your bins on the pavement or public highway, except where a special arrangement is already in place with us.

The following are some examples of where you put your bins and bags on collection day.

	If you live in a property with a large front garden, you must put your bins or bags at the front of your drive or pathway. Make sure they are as close to the street as possible.
	If you live in a property with a small area at the front, you must put your bins or bags as close to the street as possible.
	If you live in a property, with a very small front garden and no space to move your bins, your bins or bags can stay where they are.

Need help moving your bins?

We provide a special service to help residents who are unable to put their bins out for collection. Find out more, and apply for our assisted collection service.

A flat

If you live in a house converted into flats, please see the information related to houses above.

If you live in a blocks of flats you should have access to the following bins:

Communal recycling bins
Communal general rubbish bins
Communal food waste bins (most, but not all, will have these)

All the communal recycling bins have labels that clearly show what items goes in what bin.

We collect communal bins from blocks of flats every week.

Flats above shops

When you first move into your flat, you will receive an initial roll of clear recycling bags and a letter advising you where and when you need to place your recycling bags for collection. You will need to buy black sacks for general rubbish. We do not provide food waste caddy's for these properties.

Additional clear recycling bags can be collected free of charge from your local library or you can order more online.

Timed collections

If you live in a flat above a shop and do not have bins for your rubbish, you may be in a timed collection area.

This means your rubbish and recycling will only be collected at very specific times and it must be placed in certain locations.

Find out more about timed waste collection.

What to do if your bins have not been collected

Your bin or sack can be collected at any time up to 10pm on the day it is due to be collected. Do not report a missed bin before this time.

We will not collect your bin if:

excess rubbish is left outside of the bin or bag
the bins are too full and the lid can't be shut
incorrect rubbish is placed in the bin, bags or containers
bins, sacks or containers have been put out on the wrong day
you put you bins out AFTER 7am on your day of collection
bins or sacks have been placed in the incorrect position
it does not have a valid bin sticker attached to the bin presented for emptying.

If your recycling bin contains incorrect materials we cannot empty it. It will be your responsibility to ensure that the wrong materials are removed before the next collection takes place.

If your bin has been missed for these reasons, you'll need to:

wait for your next scheduled collection; or,
take your recycling and/or rubbish to the Abbey Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre

When to report a missed bin collection

If your bin or sack hasn’t been collected by 10pm, then you can report a missed collection. You must do this within 2 days after the day your collection was due.

We aim to collect missed bins within 24 hours of you reporting it to us.

Report a missed bin collection

Order a new or replacement bin

You can order a bin or sack for a number of reasons. This includes if:

you have moved into a new home and you have no bins or blue sack
your bin or sack is missing, lost or stolen
your bin or sack has been damaged
you need a larger or additional bin or sack

You can replace and / or request a new bin or sack online. Residents living in a flat must contact their managing agent if they need a new or replacement bin.

Grey bin

The grey bin is for general rubbish (a charge applies)

Request a grey bin for general rubbish

Blue top bin, blue sack and food waste caddy

Blue top bin for recycling (a charge applies)
Blue sack for paper and cardboard
Food waste caddy

Request a new blue top bin, blue sack or food caddy

What happens next?

A member of our team will assess your request. If, for any reason, we are unable to fulfil your request, we will contact you.

If you are entitled to a free bin or sack, it should be delivered in 10 working days. If you need to pay for a general rubbish bin, an assessment will need to be made.

Replacement recycling and rubbish bags

If you live in a house on the North Circular (A406) you will have bags instead of bins. You can collect more bags direct from our libraries or order them online. However your general rubbish should be disposed off in black bags. General rubbish (black bags) are collected daily, five days a week.

If you live in a flat above a shop, you will often have clear recycling bags instead of a recycling bin, these can be collected free of charge from your local library or you can request more recycling and rubbish bags online.

Garden waste bins

If you pay for the garden waste service and need to order a replacement bin because your bin has been lost, stolen or damaged please contact us

If you need an additional green bin, or more degradable sacks, you can sign up for an additional garden waste service. Each additional collection service is £69 per year.