Refuse and recycling collections
24 Nov: Due to unforeseeable problems with a number of our contractor's (Kier) hired-in split-body waste and recycling collection vehicles, temporary use of single collection vehicles has been approved to ensure that a weekly waste and recycling collection services can be maintained and that we deal with the current levels of disruption speedily and effectively.
From next week through to Christmas our new purpose built fleet of split bodied vehicles will start to arrive and be commissioned.
In practice this will mean some residents may notice their bins being emptied into two vehicles, rather than a single split-body vehicle. The vehicles will be clearly marked ‘refuse’ and ‘recycling’. Please be assured that we are committed to collecting materials separately to ensure we continue to drive up our recycling rates. We have had on average a 5% increase in recycling from the kerbside since the new contract began compared to last year.
You can now recycle more plastic materials
As part of the drive to improve your recycling service, you can now recycle more plastic materials, which includes all food and drink packaging. Following on from a successful pilot scheme and consultation with residents, the Council will also roll out a mixed recycling service to all households.
The changes to the service will make recycling easier for you and has both environmental and financial benefits for the borough.
» How your recycling is collected
Recycling collection days
On your collection day please leave your recycling at the front boundary of your property, clearly visible and near to the gate, by 6am. Please note that collections can take place up to 10pm on the day of collection.
Check your current collection day online by searching for your address in My Place.
Find out more about the organic waste collection service (kitchen and garden waste / brown wheelie bin)
Find out about flats recycling
Where to recycle in Waltham Forest
There are three Household Waste and Recycling Centres, and lots of mini recycling centres across the borough.
- South Access Road Household Waste and Recycling Centre
- Kings Road Household Waste and Recycling Centre
- Leyton Household Waste and Recycling Centre
- Mini-recycling sites throughout Waltham Forest
Other ways of recycling
- Bike recycling
- Electrical and electronic equipment recycling
- Home composting - Waltham Forest Council has teamed up with evengreener.com to offer residents home composting bins and water butts
- Nappy recycling
Compost
The organic waste collected in the brown bins from Waltham Forest is taken to London Waste, where it is turned into compost. Every now and then we have some available for residents to collect free of charge from the Waste and Recycling Education Centre in Kings Road, Chingford. If you would like some free compost please contact Anita Starling on 020 8496 3000 or email anita.starling@walthamforest.gov.uk for further details.
The John Beanse Waste and Recycling Education Centre
The Waste and Recycling Education Centre is an innovative way to get children involved in recycling and learn about the environment. See waste and recycling education centre
