Redbridge sends out two recycling boxes, a wheelie bin or black sacks for rubbish, and is bringing in weekly food caddies street by street. Garden waste is a fortnightly service from March to the autumn, using green bags bought from libraries. Because the food service is still being rolled out, the bins at your door may not match your neighbour in the next street.
Last checked against 5 sources (www.redbridge.gov.uk).
What goes in each bin
Wheelie bin for rubbish, or up to three black rubbish bags a week · General waste
Bin · Varies by area, so check your address
Yes please
Household rubbish left over once recycling has been taken out, which the council calls residual waste
Waste placed inside the closed wheelie bin; sack households may put out up to three black rubbish bags each week
Not in this one
Large bulky items such as sofas, fridges and mattresses (one free bulky collection every 12 months, for up to three items)
Fly-tipped or dumped rubbish
Offensive waste, also called clinical waste, including needles and stoma bags
Hazardous waste such as asbestos, chemicals and paint
DIY and building materials
Recyclable items, which belong in the recycling boxes
Wheelie bin for rubbish, or up to three black rubbish bags a week · General waste
Varies by area, so check your address
Kitchen caddy and outdoor food waste caddy · Food waste
Every week
Green garden waste bags · Garden waste
Every two weeks
Food waste and the national recycling rules
Redbridge does not collect food waste every week. Weekly food waste collection is being rolled out in stages and not every home has it yet. Phase one began in November 2025 with around 10,000 houses. The council said that from 14 September 2026 phase one grows by a further 3,000 homes. Flats, including flats above shops, come in later phases, and residents get a letter when their property is ready.
Garden waste is a paid-for service. Green garden waste bags cost £2 each from Redbridge libraries, with proof of residency, and each household can buy up to 5 bags. Cash is only accepted at Redbridge Central Library; every library takes card payments, including Apple Pay and Android Pay. The fortnightly garden waste round runs from March to the autumn. As of 3 October 2026 the council said week 1 collections end on Friday 16 October and week 2 collections end on Friday 23 October, and that the service returns in spring 2027. Up to five open bags can be put out on collection day.
Report a missed recycling, household rubbish, garden or food waste collection on the council's online report page, choosing the matching waste type. Check first that your bin was out by 6am on the right day, inside your property boundary near the road rather than on the pavement, and not carrying a sticker explaining why it was left. Report within 24 hours of the missed collection. The council says it then aims to collect within two working days.
Redbridge says its recycling is collected on the same day as your normal bin collection. Its pages do not state a frequency for the wheelie bin or the boxes: sack households may put out up to three black rubbish bags each week, and the food waste FAQ says there are no current plans to change how often waste and recycling are collected. Check your own collection day on the council's checker.
Recycling is split across two boxes. Box 1 takes cans, glass, plastic bottles, clean pots and trays, foil, cartons and tubes. Box 2 takes paper, envelopes and card. Extra recycling can go out in clear sacks or bags, cardboard boxes or similar-sized storage boxes, but never in black bags.
If you have a wheelie bin, close the lid and put it out by 6am inside your boundary near the road, not on the pavement. Households that use sacks may put out up to three black rubbish bags each week. A new or replacement wheelie bin costs £20.00, and a new or replacement recycling box costs £7.45. Each box arrives with a soft lid, and a separate lid costs £1 for soft or £3 for hard.
Food waste is collected in a 5 litre kitchen caddy and a 23 litre outdoor caddy, which crews empty weekly. A liner is optional: the council supplies one roll, and plastic, paper or compostable liners are all accepted. Carrier bags are too large for the processing machinery.
Garden waste is only collected from houses with their own gardens, not from flats without attached gardens, businesses or allotments. Bags are left open so crews can see the contents, and misplaced bags are returned to the front garden.
The council's recycling centre accepts Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Newham residents with a council tax bill or driving licence. The council says each household may take 1,000kg of building and DIY waste a year, and the gates close 15 minutes before the centre does.
Bin questions in Redbridge
Does Redbridge collect food waste?
Yes, but only in some areas so far. The council says weekly food waste began in November 2025 with around 10,000 houses and is expanding to a further 3,000 homes from 14 September 2026. Flats come later.
How much is a garden waste bag in Redbridge?
The council sells green garden waste bags for £2 each at its libraries, up to 5 bags per household, with proof of residency.
When do I report a missed bin in Redbridge?
The council asks for reports within 24 hours and says it then aims to collect within two working days. Use the online report page for the waste type that was missed.
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