Lewisham Bin Collection: Dates, Calendar, Bin Colours and Missed Bin Help
A clear resident guide for checking Lewisham bin collection dates, finding your calendar by postcode or street, understanding green recycling, black rubbish, grey food waste, brown garden waste, orange sacks, clear sacks, communal bins, missed collections, bank holiday changes and Landmann Way recycling centre rules.
If you searched for Lewisham bin collection, start with the official Lewisham collection day tool. The council asks residents to search by postcode or full street name, and flats are shown separately in the address list, so a guessed borough-wide calendar is not safe.
Official link: Open Lewisham bin collection days tool
🗓️ Check Lewisham bin collection dates
Best route: open Lewisham Council’s collection day tool and search using your postcode or full street name.
Why: houses, converted flats, flats above shops and estates can have different bin types and collection arrangements.
Before collection: use the calendar for your own address, then put out the right bin, sack or caddy by the correct time.
Lewisham Bin Collection Quick Facts for 2026
For houses and flats in converted properties, Lewisham Council provides a black wheelie bin for general rubbish, a green wheelie bin for recycling, a grey outside food waste bin and a small kitchen caddy. Recycling, food waste and garden waste are collected weekly, while general household rubbish is collected every two weeks.
Official link: Check Lewisham bins by property type
Lewisham collection rules are property-specific. A house in Catford, a flat above a shop in Deptford, a communal bin store in New Cross, and a converted property in Forest Hill may not use the same containers.
Official link: Find your exact Lewisham collection day
What This Lewisham Bin Collection Guide Covers
How to Check Lewisham Bin Collection Dates and Calendar
The safest way to check your Lewisham bin collection dates is to use the official council collection day tool. Enter your postcode or full street name without abbreviations, then select your address from the list. Flats are usually shown lower in the list, so check carefully before choosing.
Official link: Open Lewisham collection day calendar
Open the official collection day tool
Use Lewisham Council’s bin collection day page first. Do not rely on last year’s calendar, a neighbour’s bin pattern or a screenshot shared on social media.
Search by postcode or full street name
When searching by street name, type the full name. For example, use “Bargery Road” instead of “Bargery Rd”. Do not add your house or flat number in the street-name search box.
Select the correct property
Flats and converted properties can appear separately. This matters because your service may use wheelie bins, sacks, communal bins or a different food waste arrangement.
Write down the next dates
For older residents, the simplest habit is to write the next green recycling, black rubbish, food waste and garden waste dates on a paper calendar near the door.
GOV.UK also routes Lewisham residents to the London Borough of Lewisham for rubbish collection day information, which confirms the council website is the correct address-specific source.
Official link: Open GOV.UK Lewisham rubbish collection day route
Lewisham Bin Colours: Green, Black, Grey, Brown, Orange and Clear
Lewisham bin colours depend on your property type. For many houses and flats in converted properties, the main colours are green for recycling, black for general rubbish, grey for food waste and brown for paid garden waste.
Official link: Check what goes in each Lewisham bin
♻️ Green recycling bin
For accepted mixed recycling such as clean paper, card, plastic bottles, plastic pots, tubs and trays, tins, cans, foil, empty aerosols, food and drink cartons, glass bottles and jars.
Check Recycling Rules🗑️ Black rubbish bin
For household rubbish that cannot be recycled. Do not use it for batteries, liquids, DIY rubble, food waste, textiles, small electricals, garden waste, large items or hazardous waste.
Check Rubbish Rules🍽️ Grey food waste bin
For fruit and vegetable waste, cooked and uncooked food scraps, bread, cheese, egg shells, tea bags and coffee grounds. Keep packaging, liquids, plastics, stones and pet waste out.
Check Food Waste Rules🌿 Brown garden waste bin
For paid garden waste subscribers. Use it for grass cuttings, leaves, weeds, plants, prunings, small branches, hedge trimmings and fallen fruit where accepted.
Open Garden Waste Service🟠 Orange sacks
Flats above shops may be issued orange sacks for general household waste. These are different from standard wheelie-bin collections, so use your property-specific instructions.
Check Sack Rules🔵 Blue communal rubbish bins
Blocks of flats and estates can use large blue rubbish bins and green recycling bins in communal bin areas. Do not leave rubbish on the floor or on top of bins.
Check Communal Bin RulesLewisham Bins by Property: Houses, Flats Above Shops and Estates
Lewisham Council splits waste services by property type. This is why two people in the same borough can search “Lewisham bin collection calendar” and get different containers, collection points and reporting routes.
Official link: Open Lewisham bins by property
| Property type | Typical Lewisham containers | Resident reminder |
|---|---|---|
| House or flat in a converted property | 180L black rubbish bin, 240L green recycling bin, 23L grey food bin and 5L kitchen caddy | Label bins with your house number so they are returned correctly. |
| Flat above a shop | Orange sacks for general rubbish and clear plastic sacks for recycling | Sacks are usually delivered quarterly; request more if needed. |
| Block of flats or estate | Large blue rubbish bins and green recycling bins in communal areas | Use the correct bin area and do not leave rubbish on the floor. |
| Privately managed block | Depends on building management and council arrangements | Managing agents and landlords should use the official communal-bin contact route. |
For communal bins, Lewisham says missed communal collections can be reported by emailing recycle@lewisham.gov.uk. If you have your own wheelie bin, use the standard missed collection route instead.
Official link: Open missed collection guidance
When and Where to Put Lewisham Bins Out
Lewisham’s food waste guidance says food waste bins should be left at the edge of the property on, or by, the pavement before 6am on the weekly collection day. Garden waste guidance also tells subscribers to put garden bins out by 6am on the collection day.
Official link: Read Lewisham food waste set-out guidance
Put containers out early
Collection rounds can start early. Do not wait until you hear the truck.
Make it visible
Place bins where crews can clearly see and reach them, without blocking pavements or entrances.
Add your house number
Lewisham asks residents to label bins with the household number so crews can return them correctly.
Sort waste correctly
Contaminated recycling may be collected with general waste and can trigger a warning.
Lewisham Missed Bin Collection: What to Check Before Reporting
If your Lewisham rubbish, recycling, food waste or garden waste was not collected, first check whether your address, property type and bin type were correct. Lewisham has separate reporting links for rubbish bin, recycling bin, food waste bin and garden waste bin problems.
Official link: Report a missed Lewisham collection
Check your collection day first
Use the collection day tool again. Bank holiday weeks, service alerts and property-specific arrangements can change the expected collection date.
Check the container
Was it the correct green, black, grey, brown, orange sack, clear sack or communal bin? Wrong containers are one of the easiest mistakes to make.
Check contamination
Lewisham says contaminated recycling bins will not be collected as normal recycling. Wrong items can push the bin into a general waste route and may trigger a warning.
Use the correct missed-bin route
Use the specific official route for rubbish, recycling, food waste or garden waste. For communal bins, Lewisham lists recycle@lewisham.gov.uk.
Lewisham Bank Holiday, Easter and Christmas Bin Collection Changes
Lewisham Council publishes bank holiday collection updates when normal dates change. For example, the council has stated that rubbish, recycling and food waste collections over a bank holiday week take place one day later than normal, with normal service resuming the following week.
Official link: Check current Lewisham bank holiday bin update
Usually one day later when announced
Check the council notice for the exact week. Do not assume the same pattern applies every public holiday.
Check before Good Friday and Easter Monday
Easter collections can be published separately. Use the official calendar before putting bins out.
Never use last year’s dates
Christmas and New Year schedules are high-risk for outdated information. Recheck close to December.
Write changed dates down
Put revised dates on a paper calendar near the door, especially if your household does not use phone reminders.
Every UK council handles bank holidays differently. For comparison, our live-checked Birmingham bin collection guide shows why city-specific holiday rules must not be copied across councils.
Internal link: Birmingham Bin Collection Day: Schedule, Calendar & Missed
Lewisham Garden Waste Brown Bin Subscription
Lewisham garden waste is a paid annual subscription service. The 2026/2027 subscription year runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, with weekly garden waste collections for subscribers using a 240L brown bin and valid permit sticker.
Official link: Open Lewisham garden waste subscription
£100.63 per year listed for 2026/2027
Lewisham lists the annual subscription at £100.63 for 52 weekly collections, with payment options depending on subscription timing.
Sticker must be visible
Collection crews need to see a valid permit sticker on the brown bin. Without it, the bin may be removed.
Do not overfill
Lewisham says garden waste bins must not weigh over 20kg. Keep extra waste until the next collection.
Garden material only
Grass, leaves, weeds, plants, prunings, hedge trimmings, fallen fruit and small branches are typical accepted items.
Do not put household waste, food waste, rubble, soil, plastics, nappies, pet waste, timber, ceramics, polystyrene or non-garden waste in the brown bin.
Official link: Check what can and cannot go in your garden bin
Lewisham Bulky Item Collection: Mattresses, Sofas, Beds, Carpets and Fridges
Lewisham Council provides a bulky item collection service for large household items. The listed collection fees include £5 for a mattress, £5 for other large items such as carpets, chairs, beds or sofas, and £25 for fridges or freezers. American-style or double-door fridges and freezers are not collected.
Official link: Open Lewisham bulky item collection
| Bulky item type | Listed collection fee | Important rule |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress | £5 each | Leave it outside the home as instructed for collection day. |
| Carpets, chairs, beds, sofas and similar large items | £5 each | Only items named in your booking will be removed. |
| Fridge or freezer | £25 | American-style and double-door fridges/freezers are not collected. |
Items should be stacked neatly at the edge of your property, next to the pavement but within your boundary, the night before collection. Lewisham does not collect items from inside properties and cannot help carry them outside.
Official link: Read Lewisham bulky item placement rules
Assisted Bin Collections for Lewisham Residents Who Need Help
Lewisham can take bins to the kerbside for residents who cannot do this because of disability, ill health, frailty or physical impairment. The service is not provided if someone else in the household can put the bin at the boundary and bring it back.
Official link: Open Lewisham assisted bin collections
Frailty, disability or ill health
This is for genuine access needs, not convenience. Lewisham may check that the service is needed.
Address, reason and containers
You need to explain why you need assistance, which containers need help, and where they are stored.
Bins must be easily accessible
Lewisham says crews cannot collect bins placed at the rear of a property.
Allow 10 working days
Lewisham says it takes 10 working days to arrange assisted waste collections.
Landmann Way Reuse and Recycling Centre, New Cross
Landmann Way Reuse and Recycling Centre is open to Lewisham residents for large or bulky household waste. Lewisham says you do not need to book to visit, use of the site is free, and residents must show photo ID and proof of address.
Official link: Open Landmann Way Reuse and Recycling Centre
| Visitor type | Opening hours listed | Reminder |
|---|---|---|
| Vans, pedestrians and bikes | Sunday to Friday, 8am–3pm; Saturday, 8am–11am | Last entry at closing time shown by Lewisham. |
| Cars | Sunday to Friday, 8am–3.30pm; Saturday, 8am–11.30am | Check before travelling during service disruption or holiday periods. |
| Closures | Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day | Lewisham says it is open as normal on other bank holidays. |
The address is Civic Amenities Site, Landmann Way, London, SE14 5RS. The site is for domestic waste only and does not accept trade waste, landlord waste, hazardous waste, pallets, plasterboard, turf or car batteries.
Official link: Check accepted and refused items before visiting
Landmann Way recycling centre map helper
Before travel: take photo ID, proof of Lewisham address and check whether your waste is accepted.
Lewisham Bin Collection Search Terms Answered Naturally
Residents usually search more than one phrase. This guide covers Lewisham bin collection dates, Lewisham bin collection calendar, Lewisham bin collection day, Lewisham bin colours, Lewisham missed bin collection, Lewisham green bin, Lewisham black bin, Lewisham food waste, Lewisham garden waste, Lewisham orange sacks, Lewisham clear sacks, Lewisham communal bins, Lewisham bulky waste and Landmann Way recycling centre.
Official link: Open Lewisham Your Bins hub
Related Bin Collection Guides
Bin colours, collection times and missed-bin rules are not the same across the UK. Lewisham residents should follow Lewisham Council, but these live-checked guides are useful for comparing how different councils handle address-based calendars, missed bins and bank holiday changes.
Birmingham bin collection
Birmingham has different set-out and disruption guidance, so it is a useful comparison for residents who move between major cities.
Open Birmingham GuideBolton bin collection
Bolton uses a different colour system and address-based calendar, showing why council-specific bin pages matter.
Open Bolton GuideCardiff bin collection
Cardiff has a different waste system again, useful for understanding why UK bin colours cannot be copied between councils.
Open Cardiff GuideOfficial Lewisham Bin Collection Links
Use these official Lewisham Council pages first for collection dates, missed bins, property-specific containers, garden waste, bulky items, assisted collections, recycling rules and Landmann Way recycling centre visits.
🗓️ Collection days
Search by postcode or full street name to find your rubbish, recycling, food or garden waste collection day.
Open Collection Tool♻️ Your bins
Main Lewisham hub for bin days, missed collections, bin orders, assisted collections and A-Z recycling.
Open Your Bins🏠 Bins by property
Check whether your property uses wheelie bins, sacks, communal bins or estate arrangements.
Open Property Guide✅ What goes in bins
Check recycling, rubbish, food waste and garden waste accepted items.
Open Bin Contents🚨 Missed collection
Report missed rubbish, recycling, food waste or garden waste collection problems.
Open Missed Collection🌿 Garden waste
Sign up, renew, report missed garden waste or check subscription rules.
Open Garden Waste🛋️ Bulky items
Book large item collections and check current fees and collection days.
Open Bulky Items🧓 Assisted bins
Request kerbside assistance if you cannot move bins because of disability, frailty or ill health.
Open Assisted Bins🏭 Landmann Way
Reuse and recycling centre details, opening hours, ID rules and accepted waste.
Open Landmann WayLewisham Bin Collection FAQs
How do I check my Lewisham bin collection day?
Use Lewisham Council’s bin collection days tool. Search by postcode or full street name, then choose your address carefully.
Official link: Check your Lewisham collection day
What colour is the recycling bin in Lewisham?
For houses and flats in converted properties, Lewisham provides a 240L green wheelie bin for recycling. Estates and blocks usually use green communal recycling bins.
What colour is the rubbish bin in Lewisham?
For houses and converted properties, Lewisham provides a 180L black wheelie bin for rubbish. Estates and blocks can use large blue communal rubbish bins.
How often is Lewisham recycling collected?
Lewisham says recycling is collected weekly. Always check your exact address calendar before collection day.
How often is Lewisham general rubbish collected?
Lewisham says general household rubbish is collected every two weeks for standard household arrangements.
How often is food waste collected in Lewisham?
Food waste is collected weekly where the food waste service is available for the property.
What do flats above shops use in Lewisham?
Flats above shops are issued orange sacks for general household waste and clear plastic sacks for recycling, normally delivered quarterly.
How do I report a missed bin collection in Lewisham?
Use Lewisham Council’s missed collection page and choose the correct route for rubbish, recycling, food waste or garden waste. For communal bins, Lewisham lists recycle@lewisham.gov.uk.
Does Lewisham bin collection change on bank holidays?
Lewisham publishes bank holiday updates when dates change. During some bank holiday weeks, rubbish, recycling and food waste collections are one day later than normal.
How much is Lewisham garden waste collection?
Lewisham lists the 2026/2027 garden waste subscription at £100.63 per year for weekly collections. Recheck the official page before paying because fees can change.
What can go in the Lewisham brown garden waste bin?
Grass cuttings, leaves, plants, prunings, garden weeds, hedge trimmings, fallen fruit and small branches are typical accepted garden waste items. Do not add soil, rubble, household waste, plastics or pet waste.
How much is bulky item collection in Lewisham?
Lewisham lists mattresses at £5 each, other large items such as carpets, chairs, beds and sofas at £5 each, and fridges or freezers at £25. Check the official page before booking.
Where is Lewisham’s recycling centre?
Lewisham’s reuse and recycling centre is the Civic Amenities Site, Landmann Way, London, SE14 5RS. It is open to Lewisham residents and requires photo ID plus proof of address.
Do I need to book Landmann Way recycling centre?
Lewisham says you do not need to make a booking to visit the recycling and reuse centre in New Cross, but you must be a Lewisham resident and bring the required ID and proof of address.
Can Lewisham help if I cannot move my bins?
Yes. Lewisham offers assisted bin collections for residents unable to move bins because of disability, frailty, ill health or physical impairment, where no one else in the household can help.
Best Way to Manage Lewisham Bin Collections
The best routine is simple: check your address on Lewisham Council’s collection day tool, identify your property type, put out the correct green, black, grey, brown, orange, clear or communal container, avoid contamination, check bank holiday updates and use the official missed collection route if a correctly presented collection is not completed.
Official link: Check your latest Lewisham bin collection calendar
This guide covers the full resident intent behind Lewisham bin collection: dates, calendar, bin colours, recycling, rubbish, food waste, garden waste, missed collections, bank holiday changes, orange sacks, clear sacks, communal bins, bulky waste, assisted collections and Landmann Way recycling centre.
Important notice: This article is an independent resident guide and is not Lewisham Council, GOV.UK, a waste contractor or an official local authority service. Collection dates, bank holiday updates, fees, accepted items, property arrangements, Landmann Way access rules and missed-bin policies can change. Always verify urgent or address-specific information directly with Lewisham Council before acting.