guide

Waste and recycling

Report missed collections and blocked chutes, and arrange bulky waste collection.

Last checked: 7 September 2026

Who this is for: All residents.

Choose the report that matches the problem: an uncollected bin, an obstructed chute, dumped waste, or an item you need collected.

What do I need to do?

  • Blocked chute or dirty bin room: report the location through resident services. Southwark lists unblocking chutes as a rapid-response cleaning task and checking/rotating bins as part of its cleaning service. Do not attempt to clear the chute yourself or add waste to an obstruction. Cleaning responsibilities; resident services contact.
  • Missed bin collection: check the scheduled day and any contamination tag. Southwark says to report after 4pm on the collection day. Its report covers communal estate bins as well as individual bins. Report a missed collection.
  • Unsure what can be recycled: use Southwark’s recycling guide. Empty and rinse containers and follow its accepted-items list.
  • Furniture or other large items: book an eligible household collection using Large waste items. Check the current charge and exclusions first. Follow the confirmed date and ground-floor collection location; the service does not collect from bin stores or behind security gates. It is not the service for landlords disposing of items from properties they rent out.

What information will I need?

For a report, give the precise location (block, chute entrance, or bin store), type of waste, date noticed, and a photograph without identifiable people or address labels. Retain the collection booking or report reference.

What happens next?

For a collection failure, follow the relevant council report. For repeated bin-room or chute problems, keep a dated record and ask resident services for follow-up. Use Make a complaint if reports do not resolve the service failure.

Estate details still to confirm: collection days and presentation points for each block, whether any landing-based recycling collection remains authorised, and the locations/responsibility for all dog-waste bins. Do not leave bags on a landing based solely on an old group message.