Recycling in flats

This page is for residents who live in an area where bins are communal.

Where possible, we provide recycling services to these properties via large bins for card, paper, mixed glass, cans and plastic bottles.

What can I recycle?

Communal sites have two types of recycling bins.

Mixed recycling bin

You can recycle:

  • plastic bottles
  • tins
  • cans
  • container glass
  • plastic food packaging pots, tubs and trays

Paper and cardboard bin

You can recycle:

  • newspapers
  • magazines
  • brochures
  • directories
  • junk mail
  • envelopes (windowed and non-windowed)
  • letters
  • flattened card
  • cardboard

Recycling guidelines

  • do not leave recycling on or next to the bin as this causes mess and litter as well as being awkward to empty for the crew
  • if the bins are frequently full, we may be able to provide bigger bins where possible - please contact your landlord/site management
  • flatten cardboard boxes to save space in the bin
  • rinse and squash bottles, tins and cans to save space and smells in the bins
  • spread the word about the facilities to your neighbours
  • be mindful of access for collections when parking your car, report problems to your managing agent
  • only recycle the materials listed above, adding other materials contaminates the load as we cannot process them

I live in a flat above a shop - how do I recycle?

We are currently unable to offer recycling collections for flats above shops because of access issues. We are actively working on a solution, but for now we encourage residents in these homes to use our network of on‑street recycling banks.

We’ll contact properties directly as soon as a recycling service becomes available.

We can also provide a reusable bag to help you carry your recycling to your closest bank.

Click here to find your nearest public recycling site on a map

 

Requesting facilities

If you don't have recycling facilities, please request your Managing Agent (we need their approval to proceed) to contact the Cleansing Team or call the Customer Contact Centre on 020 8554 5000 with the full address of the property; without it we'll not be able to deal with your request. We'll conduct a site visit and proceed if a suitable location can be found.