Rubbish and recycling collections for flats above shops

We've increased rubbish and recycling collections for flats above shops from once to twice a week. 

This started in the week commencing 29 September 2025. 

Your collection days

You can use our My Property tool to check when your two collection days are.

How to leave your rubbish and recycling out

This depends on the set up at your property. If you're not sure, you may want to check with residents and businesses on your street, or a landlord if you have one.

Pavement collections

Pavement collections are made for some flats above shops.

If this applies to your flat, you should place sacks on the pavement outside your home.

You can leave them out the night before a collection day - do this as late as possible in the evening, and not before 6.30pm. Make sure they're out by 6.30am on collection day.

• All rubbish should put into sacks, which must be tied and unsplit
• All recycling should be put into the recycling sacks we provide you with, or in any other clear sack. Sacks should be tied and unsplit

Access road

Some flats above shops have rubbish and recycling collected from communal bins on access roads behind the shops.

If this applies to your flat, you should put your rubbish and recycling in these communal bins.

• All rubbish should be put into sacks, which must be tied and unsplit
• All recycling should be put into the recycling sacks we provide you with, or in any other clear sack. Sacks should be tied and unsplit

Fixed penalty Notices

If you leave your rubbish and recycling out on the wrong day or in the wrong place, you could get a Fixed Penalty Notice.

Recycling sacks

You should receive a delivery of two rolls of 30 recycling sacks twice a year, in April and October. 

Recycling can be put out for collection in any clear sack. They do not necessarily need to be ones issued by us. 

On the sacks you'll see a list of the items you can recycle in them.

Large cardboard should be torn up and placed in clear sacks or be flattened and placed beside any clear recycling sacks.

Getting more sacks

If you run out, you can order more recycling sacks. 

They can also be collected from the Customer Centre at the Town Hall in Wandsworth High Street, Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, and from our libraries.

Report a missed collection

If your rubbish and recycling isn't collected on collection day, you should report a missed collection. 

Food waste

We're working to introduce food waste recycling collections for flats above shops. We'll contact you when we have more information.

Small electricals

Small electricals are collected weekly.

Make sure your items are available for collection along with your rubbish and recycling. 

You can use a plastic bag to put your small electricals in, if you have one, especially if you need to contain any leads. 

What not to put in your bins

Items that should not be placed in your bin are:

• Clinical waste such as needles or syringes
• DIY waste such as bricks and plaster
• Broken glass - unless thoroughly wrapped to eliminate any risk of injury to collection staff
• Batteries: Some present a significant fire risk and all should be recycled
• Bulky waste such as furniture and large electricals
• Household chemicals such as household or garden chemicals.
• Liquid waste such as paint or oil
• Japanese knotweed: Due to the invasive nature of this plant the movement and disposal of it is restricted by law
• Use your recycling sack or orange-lidded bank to recycle paper, card, cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays and food/drink cartons
• Please recycle other materials such as old clothes, toner cartridges, fluorescent tubes, motor oil and electrical appliances using public recycling banks or local Household Waste and Recycling Centres  
• Items in good working order can be reused or donated - find your nearest charity shop
• Dead animals. We do not collect dead animals from private property. You can:
  • Take the dead animal to your local household waste and recycling centre (public tip), free of charge
  • Call Western Riverside Waste Authority on 020 8871 2788 for advice
  • Report dead animals on the public highway to the waste services team

Recycling A to Z

If you're not sure what to do with an item check our Recycling A to Z which gives advice and suggestions of what to do with your waste.