Flats: Recycling and waste

This recycling and waste collections information is for properties with 6 or more flats.

If you live in a flat in a converted house or a block with 5 or less flats, please visit the Household recycling and waste page

Recycling and waste collection dates

Blocks of flats receive weekly waste collections. Most also receive weekly recycling collections.

If you live in a block with 6 or more properties you will have blue or green communal recycling bins for mixed dry recycling.

Items for these bins include:

mixed paper (this includes shredded paper which must be put in a paper envelope before it goes in the recycling bin)
cardboard
food tins and drinks cans
cartons and Tetra Pak
mixed glass bottles and jars
plastic bottles, including toiletry containers
plastic tubs, pots and trays
aerosol cans

Place items in the recycling bin loose - not in carrier bags or black sacks.

Don't overfill bins: please make use of all recycling bins available to you.

Only household waste that can't be recycled should be put in your black or grey refuse bins.

nappies: these can’t be recycled and should be placed in the refuse bin
food waste: this can’t be recycled and should be placed in the refuse bin
textiles: textiles can be taken to Summers Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre, charity shops or swapped
wood: wood can be taken to Summers Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre
electrical items: these items can be taken to Summers Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre
polystyrene: this can’t be recycled and should be placed in the refuse bin
plastic film and wrapping: some local supermarkets offer in-store collection points where plastic film and wrapping can be taken, or place these in your black refuse bin
pet waste: this can’t be recycled and should be placed in the refuse bin
clinical waste: clinical waste items such as syringes, needles or other sharp items can’t be recycled and are extremely dangerous in the manual processing of materials. You can arrange a clinical waste collection here
batteries: these can be taken to Summers Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre. Most supermarkets also have battery drop off points
carrier bags and black sacks: some local supermarkets offer in-store collection points where plastic bags can be taken, or place these in your black refuse bin

Check what to do with a range of items by using the North London Waste Authority A-Z of materials

Or find out what to do with a particular item by searching for it

You can also download and print the flats recycling poster (PDF, 800 KB) to put up in communal areas of your building to encourage others to recycle.

If you do not have recycling bins at a building of 6 or more flats:

If you live in a flat above a shop you can get a recycling bin or recycling sacks for your mixed recycling.

If you need to arrange recycling collection please call 0208 359 4600.

We'll assess your location to confirm which collection method and location would be most suitable.

if your property is a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) and has multiple containers of the same type, these can be exchanged for a larger communal bin at a cost. For more information, please contact us
collections are completed on a weekly basis, however, if your development requires more frequent collections, you can request this by calling 0208 359 4600. There is an additional cost for this service
when designing and building property, providing adequate recycling and waste facilities is key to increasing recycling rates and ensuring the correct recycling and waste capacity is provided. Download the guide for architects, developers and managing agents for further details

the location of bins for collection must be in line with the council’s policies. This may be changed at any time to ensure collections are carried out efficiently