Folkestone Bin Collection 2026: Days, Calendar & Waste Schedule
Folkestone households should use Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s address-based collection calendar rather than guessing from the weekday alone. Household rubbish and dry recycling are normally collected every two weeks, while food waste is collected every week.
The main household containers are the green-lidded rubbish bin, purple-lidded recycling bin or purple box, black paper-and-card box, external green food caddy and the optional brown-lidded garden-waste bin.
Folkestone Bin Collection: Quick Answer
Use the council’s postcode-based calendar for your exact dates. Rubbish and household recycling are normally collected fortnightly on alternating weeks, while the external food caddy is collected every week on the same collection day.
Put rubbish, recycling and food containers at the boundary of your property by 7am. If a scheduled collection has not happened by 5pm, check the rules before reporting it as missed.
Jump to the Folkestone bin information you need
How to Check Your Folkestone Bin Collection Day
Collection dates are linked to the property, so a static “Folkestone Tuesday timetable” is not reliable for every street. The council’s online waste service lets residents use their postcode and address to view the relevant collection calendar.
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Open the official council waste service.
Use the current Folkestone & Hythe District Council service rather than an old screenshot or neighbour’s calendar. -
Enter your postcode.
Select the exact property from the address results. -
Check the collection date and stream.
Identify whether the next main collection is rubbish or recycling and remember that food waste is weekly. -
Check garden waste separately if subscribed.
Brown-lidded garden bins use their own paid fortnightly schedule. -
Save or download the current calendar.
Recheck the live service around Christmas, severe weather or route changes.
Folkestone Bin Collection Schedule 2026
Folkestone & Hythe uses an alternating main collection system. Household rubbish is normally collected every two weeks and household recycling is collected every two weeks. Food waste continues every week.
| Waste stream | Container | Normal frequency | Main use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household rubbish | Green-lidded bin | Every 2 weeks | Non-recyclable household waste |
| Mixed recycling | Purple-lidded bin or purple box | Every 2 weeks | Accepted glass, cans, tins, plastics, foil and cartons |
| Paper & card | Black box | With recycling round | Clean paper and cardboard kept separate |
| Food waste | External green caddy | Every week | Raw and cooked solid food waste |
| Garden waste | Brown-lidded bin | Every 2 weeks | Paid subscribed garden-waste service |
Folkestone Bin Colours and What Goes in Them
General rubbish
Non-recyclable household waste that does not belong in the recycling, food or garden-waste streams.
Mixed recycling
Accepted cans, tins, glass containers, foil, plastic containers and liquid cartons.
Paper & cardboard
Clean paper, cardboard and shredded paper are kept separate from the purple-bin materials.
Food waste
Raw and cooked food waste is collected weekly from the external caddy.
Green-Lidded Bin: Non-Recyclable Household Rubbish
The green-lidded wheelie bin is Folkestone’s normal refuse container. Household rubbish is collected every two weeks.
Typical items
- Nappies
- Plastic film
- Plastic bags and wrappers that cannot use another recycling route
- Other non-recyclable household rubbish
Important presentation rule
Black sacks can be used inside the bin, but the rubbish must be contained within the green-lidded wheelie bin. Side waste left next to the bin is not normally collected.
Purple-Lidded Bin or Purple Box: Mixed Recycling
The purple recycling stream is for accepted household containers. Keep paper and cardboard separate in the black box.
Put these in
- Clean cans and tins
- Glass bottles and jars
- Empty aerosol cans
- Clean tin foil
- Plastic containers
- Plastic bottles
- Plastic pots, tubs and trays
- Tetra Pak and other accepted liquid cartons
Keep these out
- Plastic bags
- Plastic wrappers
- Paper and cardboard
- Books
- Paper with a metallic finish
- Food waste
Black Box: Paper and Cardboard Recycling
Folkestone & Hythe requires paper and cardboard to be kept separate from the purple-lidded recycling bin. Use the black box for clean paper and card.
- Clean paper
- Cardboard
- Shredded paper
Food Waste: Collected Every Week
Household food waste is collected once a week on the same usual collection day as the property’s other waste service. It may be collected by a different crew and therefore at a different time.
Food accepted
- Meat and bones
- Fish and bones
- Eggs and eggshells
- Dairy products
- Bread
- Pasta and rice
- Fruit and vegetables
- Tea bags
- Coffee grounds
Do not add
- Oils or liquids
- Nappies
- Soil
- Rubble
- Food packaging
- Plastic bags
Homes normally have a small indoor caddy and a larger 23-litre external caddy. The collection crew empties the external caddy, not the small kitchen caddy.
New for 2026: Liquid Cartons Can Go in the Purple-Lidded Bin
From 1 April 2026, Folkestone & Hythe residents can recycle liquid cartons from home. This includes cartons used for products such as milk, plant-based drinks, juice, soup and sauces.
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Empty the carton.
Remove leftover liquid or food. -
Rinse it.
Give the carton a quick rinse to remove residue. -
Leave the cap on.
The council’s current instruction allows the cap to remain attached. -
Put it in the purple recycling stream.
Place it with bottles, cans, pots, tubs, trays and jars rather than in the black paper box.
How to Put Folkestone Bins Out Correctly
By 7am
Put the scheduled containers out at the property boundary by 7am.
Use the boundary
Place bins where your property meets the public highway unless an assisted arrangement applies.
Use the correct stream
Incorrect recycling can result in the container being left unemptied.
No side waste
Extra black sacks beside the green-lidded refuse bin are not normally collected.
Folkestone Missed Bin: When and How to Report It
Do not report a bin simply because the crew has not arrived at the usual time. Folkestone & Hythe asks residents to wait until the end of the working day.
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Check the date.
Confirm the bin or box was genuinely scheduled for your property. -
Check the 7am rule.
A container presented after 7am does not qualify as a missed collection. -
Check for contamination.
Incorrect materials can prevent a recycling collection. -
Wait until after 5pm.
If the street has not yet been collected, the round may simply be running late. -
Report within 24 hours.
The council says missed collections must be reported within one working day. -
Leave the bin out.
Once an eligible missed collection has been reported, the council says the crew will return within 24 hours.
Folkestone Garden Waste Collection 2026/27
Garden waste is an optional paid service using a brown-lidded bin. Collections normally take place every two weeks between 7am and 4pm on the scheduled day.
Annual subscription
The 2026/27 garden-waste subscription is £63.90.
New brown bin
A new 180-litre brown-lidded garden bin costs £39.60 in addition to the collection subscription.
Service year
The current subscription runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Accepted garden waste
- Grass cuttings
- Weeds except specified invasive/problem plants
- Hedge trimmings
- Prunings
- Dead flowers
- Leaves
Collection conditions
- Bin must have an active subscription
- Waste should be placed loosely in the container
- Put the bin at the property boundary by 7am
- Garden waste must come from a domestic property
Lost, Damaged or Missing Bin: Current Replacement Charges
Folkestone & Hythe charges for many replacement containers depending on why the bin is needed. Delivery can take up to 28 working days after the form and any required payment are completed.
| Container | Description | Current charge |
|---|---|---|
| Green-lidded bin | 180-litre household refuse bin | £66.10 |
| Purple-lidded bin | 240-litre dry-recycling bin | £63.20 |
| Purple box | 55-litre dry-recycling box | £19.40 |
| Black box | 55-litre paper-and-card box | £10.00 |
| Green external caddy | 23-litre food-waste caddy | £19.30 |
| Grey kitchen caddy | 5-litre indoor food caddy | £7.50 |
| Brown-lidded bin | 180-litre garden-waste bin only | £39.60 |
Need an Additional Refuse or Recycling Bin?
An additional 180-litre refuse bin is restricted to qualifying large households. The current council rule requires a household of six or more people, with the applicable bin-supply charge paid when making the request.
Extra recycling containers can also be purchased. Any additional bins need to be stored off the highway between collection days.
Free Assisted Bin Collections
Folkestone & Hythe offers a free assisted collection for eligible residents who cannot put their bins out themselves. It can cover rubbish, recycling and subscribed garden-waste containers.
Who may qualify
- Older residents
- Disabled residents
- People recovering from short- or long-term illness
- Eligible residents without another suitable person over 16 who can put the bins out
How it works
The council agrees a collection point on the property. Gates must be accessible on collection day, and the crew returns the bins to the agreed location after emptying.
After an application is received, the council says residents will normally be contacted within 10 working days to confirm the arrangement or discuss the request.
Sofas, Mattresses and Other Bulky Waste
Large household items that will not fit safely into the normal bin can be booked through Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s bulky-waste service. The service is booked and paid for in advance through MyAccount.
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Sign in to MyAccount.
Choose the recycling and household-waste section. -
Select bulky collection.
Enter the collection point and choose the item or items. -
Select an offered collection date.
Availability determines which date is shown. -
Pay before collection.
The booking is not complete until the required payment has been made.
Household Waste Recycling Centres Near Folkestone
Household Waste Recycling Centres are operated by Kent County Council, not Folkestone & Hythe District Council. A slot must be booked before a normal waste or recycling visit.
Folkestone HWRC
Ross Way, Shorncliffe, Folkestone, CT20 3UJ
Monday–Saturday: 8am–4:30pm
Sunday: 9am–4pm
Bank holidays: 9am–4pm
New Romney HWRC
Mountfield Road, New Romney, TN28 8LH
Monday–Saturday: 8am–4:30pm
Sunday: 9am–4pm
Bank holidays: 9am–4pm
Used Batteries Can Be Collected With Paper Recycling
Folkestone & Hythe accepts used household batteries alongside the fortnightly paper-recycling collection. Put the batteries in a small clear plastic food bag and place the bag on top of the black box or recycling container.
Christmas, Bank Holidays and Collection Disruption
Folkestone collection dates can change around Christmas, New Year, severe weather or operational disruption. Do not assume that every bank holiday moves the collection by exactly one day.
Check MyAccount
The property collection schedule is the safest place to confirm a changed collection date.
Garden waste
The paid garden-waste service normally includes a two-week Christmas and New Year pause.
Adverse weather
The council can suspend or change collections when conditions make normal rounds unsafe.
Official Folkestone Waste Services
Open Folkestone & Hythe waste services
Open recycling guidance
Open missed-bin service
Open garden-waste service
Find a Kent HWRC
Folkestone Bin Collection FAQs
How do I check my Folkestone bin collection day?
Use Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s online collection schedule, enter the property details requested and follow the current calendar for that address.
How often is the green-lidded rubbish bin collected?
Household rubbish is normally collected every two weeks. Use the council’s property calendar for the exact date.
How often is recycling collected in Folkestone?
Household recycling is normally collected every two weeks. The purple recycling stream and black paper box should be presented according to the property calendar.
Is Folkestone food waste collected every week?
Yes. The external green food-waste caddy is collected once a week on the property’s normal collection day.
What time should bins be out in Folkestone?
Place the scheduled rubbish, recycling, food or subscribed garden-waste container at the property boundary by 7am.
When can I report a missed Folkestone bin?
If the scheduled bin has not been collected by 5pm, check the eligibility rules and report it within 24 hours. Leave the bin out after an accepted report.
Can liquid cartons be recycled in Folkestone in 2026?
Yes. From 1 April 2026, accepted liquid cartons such as milk, juice and soup cartons can be rinsed and placed in the purple-lidded recycling bin.
How much is Folkestone garden waste collection in 2026/27?
The council’s 2026/27 annual garden-waste subscription is £63.90. A new 180-litre brown-lidded garden bin costs £39.60 separately where a new bin is required.
Do I need to book Folkestone Household Waste Recycling Centre?
Yes. Kent County Council requires visitors to book a slot before normal waste or recycling visits to Folkestone Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Check Your Exact Folkestone Calendar Before Collection Day
The reliable way to manage a Folkestone bin collection is to check the council schedule for your own property, identify the correct rubbish or recycling week and remember that food waste is collected every week.
Put the correct containers at the property boundary by 7am. If they are still full after 5pm, check the missed-bin conditions and report an eligible collection within the council’s 24-hour window.
Independent guide: BinCollectionGuide.org is not Folkestone & Hythe District Council or Kent County Council. Live dates, payments, bookings, subscriptions and service reports should be completed or confirmed through the relevant council.