Recycling: Green Blue Black collections
Our household rubbish collection service is regularly rated the best in London. Learn about our GreenBlueBlack doorstep collection service, how you can recycle if you live in a flat or estate, and what to do with trade waste.
Household waste recycling
Our aim is to maintain our level of excellence and increase the recycling rate beyond 40 per cent to meet Government targets.
Our Green Blue Black doorstep collection scheme started in 2008 and is helping us achieve our recycling aim as you now separate your waste into three types - Green, Blue and Black.
Read about our new textile recycling collection
Find out your usual collection days
Clear sacks for blue-top bins
Recycling collection workers will not empty your blue-top bin if they cannot see that the bin contains only dry recyclable waste. If you need to line your blue-top bin, use clear recycling sacks to contain your recyclables.
Order recycling sacksPlease do not use black plastic sacks. If collection workers are unable to see what's inside your sacks, they will have to assume they contain general (ie non-recyclable) waste. General waste and recyclable waste are collected at different times.
Other ways to recycle
The new collection service is only for houses, but you can still recycle if you live in a flat or estate.
There are also recycling banks across the borough where you can bring your old clothes and shoes, batteries and other items to have them recycled.
More about recycling and our recycling plant
More services
Hazardous household waste
The City of London's Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal Service will collect hazardous waste – such as asbestos and chemicals – from domestic properties. This service is free for up to 50 litres of chemicals.
To arrange a collection please ring the Hazardous Waste Unit on 020 7332 3433.
City of London Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal Service
Business waste
If you run a business, our business waste section has information on the paid waste services available to you, and what you need to do to comply with the law.
Report a problem
Report a problem to the contact centre, or to tell us about any environmental concerns in your neighbourhood.