Composting is nature's way of recycling. By turning garden waste into compost less rubbish will end up in landfill, which means less greenhouse gases! 

You can also use the compost to improve the quality of your soil and be well on your way to a more beautiful garden. There are a number of ways to recycle your garden waste in Redbridge...

Green Garden Waste Collection

Redbridge Council will collect your green garden waste to be composted at no charge. 

You will need to book your collection by telephoning 0208 554 5000 or you can book online.

Your garden waste will be collected on the day following your refuse and recycling collection day. When booking by phone please allow two days notice to guarantee a collection for the current week. For example, you will need to make your booking by Monday to guarantee a Wednesday collection or Thursday for a Monday collection.  If booking online please allow three days.  Please note you cannot book more than a week in advance.

We collect garden waste such as:

• Grass
• Hedge cuttings
• Flowers
• Plants
• Small branches - tied in bundles that are of a manageable size for our operatives
• Christmas trees

We cannot accept:

• Any food
• Timber or logs in excess of 10cm (4 inches) diameter or 122cm (4 ft) length
• Inorganic material such as soil, cobbles, bricks, concrete, wire strapping, metals
• Textiles

Please present your garden waste by 7am on your collection day in untied sacks that are no bigger than refuse sacks at the boundary to your property nearest the street, with a maximum of 20 bags per collection.

Please keep the garden waste bags away from other refuse bags and avoid using yellow bags.

To book a collection please call the Customer Contact Centre on 0208 554 5000 or fill in the online green garden waste collection form.

Sunday Garden Waste Collection

UPDATE!  The Sunday Garden Waste Collection has been extended until Sunday 30 November due to high demand and the long growing season this year.

Three local collection points will operate between Sunday 4 May 2008 and Sunday 30 November 2008. Residents can take their green garden waste, free of charge, between 9 am and 3 pm on Sundays, at the following locations:

• Fullwell Cross Car Park, Craven Gardens, Barkingside
• Wanstead Leisure Centre, Redbridge Lane West, Wanstead
• Cricklefield Sports Ground Car Park, High Road, Ilford

Please do not leave any garden or other waste at these locations at any other time.

Chigwell Road Recycling Centre

You can also take your green garden waste, as well as other recyclable items, to the Chigwell Road reuse and recycling centre in Woodford, located just off the Charlie Brown roundabout.

Subsidised compost bins

If you're interested in composting from home, we offer heavily subsidised compost bins. Prices start from just £12 (£11 if you buy online), including free delivery.