Garden waste
To see your garden waste collection you need to be logged into your Redbridge account. The dates will only show two weeks before the service starts.
If you live in the Wanstead area, there may be a change of day to your garden waste collection. Check your new collection day.
Garden waste bags at libraries
There are still some bags left for purchase from all Redbridge libraries for just £2 each while stocks last.
If the library is out of stock, please remember that you do not need an official bag to use the service.
You can present your waste in any open black sack and our crews will do the rest.
We have placed an order for more bags and will we update with info here, when we have more information on more stock.
Please remember you can only purchase a maximum of five bags per property.
You can pay by contactless payment (including Apple Pay and Android Pay) at all libraries. If you wish to pay by cash, this can only be done at Redbridge Central Library.
You must provide proof of residency, such a council tax document or driving licence.
Check here for all library locations
What we collect
- Hedge cuttings
- Grass cuttings
- Weeds
- Garden plants
- Flowers
- Dead leaves
- Twigs
Description of the service
The service is only available for kerbside collections from residential properties with their own gardens.
The service is not available for business premises, allotments or flats without attached gardens.
We offer an assisted garden-waste collection service for residents who are currently receiving assisted collections for their household waste and recycling.
Putting out garden waste
You can present a maximum of five bags/sacks. They must be placed at the boundary of your property by 6am on the day of the collection. If the waste is not out by 6am, we will not return until the next scheduled collection date.
We must be able to get to the waste without any obstructions.
We'll only collect garden waste that is visibly presented in open sack, for example green garden waste sacks or open black refuse sacks.
Lost or misplaced bags
We'll empty the contents into the truck and then return all bags neatly to a safe spot within your front garden.
We appreciate that bags can go missing for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, we cannot replace bags free of charge.
Missed collections
If we do not collect your garden waste because of circumstances beyond our control (road closures, roadworks, incidents or accidents etc), please leave the waste out and we will make every effort to return.
If you feel we have not collected your garden waste (and none of the issues above apply), and the rest of your road has been serviced, please report this via the website here or call our contact centre on 0208 554 5000.
We investigate all reported missed collections with our contractor. We will aim to resolve issues within two working days of your report.
Please note that the contractor or/and the authority may take photos of missed collections as part of the investigation.
Composting
The Composting page will provide more information on home composting, related trainings and workshops
Garden Waste FAQS
- My bag has gone missing, can I get a replacement?
Unfortunately, we cannot replace bags free of charge for any reason.
- Do I need to present my waste in official Redbridge bags?
Not at all. You can present your garden waste in open black sacks or official garden waste sacks, or a mix of both. The crews will take a maximum of 5 bags.
- How many bags can I purchase?
You can buy a maximum of 5 bags per property
- What are the specs of the bags available to purchase?
45 x 45 x 60cm (120 litre) - same as our previous bags
- How do I buy the official Redbridge bags/sacks
They are available from all Redbridge libraries. We do have limited stock of 10,000, so when they’re gone, they’re gone!
- Where do I present my waste?
Garden waste must be presented at the boundary of your property by 6am on collection day. If it not presented at the boundary, the crew will not empty the bags and will not return until the next scheduled fortnightly collection day.
- How many months does the service run for and how often is the waste collected?
The service runs from April to the end of October. It is a fortnight service.
- Can I use builders’ sacks to present my waste
No, the waste will not be collected if these bags are used. They are too heavy and unwieldy to carry and pose a risk when lifting.
- How do I pay for the bags?
Bags can be bought (while stocks last) from all Redbridge libraries for £2 only. You can pay by contactless payment (including Apple Pay and Android Pay) at all libraries. If you wish to pay by cash, then you will have to buy the bags from Central Library (in Ilford town centre) as they are the only library that can take cash.
- Do I need to show I.D to purchase a bag?
Yes. We do require proof of residency. This must be via council tax document, driving licence or passport.
