Merton Bin Collection: Calendar, Schedule & Missed Reports
Check the right Merton collection calendar for your address, save or print your dates, report missed rubbish or recycling at the correct time, and use the right route for food waste, garden waste, bulky items and Garth Road visits.
Use the official Merton address checker first
Merton bin collection days are not a single borough-wide calendar. Use the official address checker to find your rubbish and recycling dates, add dates to an online calendar, download a printable PDF calendar, report a missed bin, order containers, subscribe to garden waste and book bulky waste.
Check your calendar
Enter your postcode or address and choose the exact property before saving any date.
Official: My Recycling and Waste checker
Put waste out correctly
Most rubbish and recycling must be out by 6am, at the front edge of your property and within arm’s reach of the pavement.
Official: How to put out waste
Report a missed bin
Report only after rounds finish in your area or after 11.59pm, and no later than two working days after collection day.
Official: Missed collection form
Book bulky waste
From 1 June 2026, each Merton household can book one free bulky waste collection per year for up to three household items.
Official: Bulky waste booking
How to check your Merton bin collection calendar
Open Merton’s official collection-days page, use the address checker, then save the dates that apply to your property. The service can download a printable PDF calendar for most homes, except some flats with communal bins, and can add collection days to an online calendar.
Official link: Collection days for rubbish, recycling and garden waste
Search your exact address
Do not rely on a generic Merton schedule. Houses, flats above shops, communal-bin blocks and properties near borough borders can have different arrangements.
Confirm the waste stream
Check whether the next date is rubbish, recycling, food waste, garden waste or a time-banded bag collection. The day alone is not enough.
Download, print or add to calendar
Use the printable PDF or online calendar option if available for your property. Keep it where everyone in the home can see it.
Check Christmas separately
Merton says normal bank holidays usually continue as normal, but Christmas and New Year can change collection dates.
Official checker screenshot guide
This screenshot is only a visual guide to help you recognise the official Merton checker. Always enter your own address on the live council page before relying on a date.
Screenshot Guide: Official Merton Council Bin Collection Calendar Checker
Video guide: this Merton food waste video is included because it helps users understand food waste collection. VideoObject schema is not used because complete rich-result fields, including thumbnail and upload details, were not fully verified.
How to report a missed rubbish or recycling collection in Merton
Merton says it will return within two working days if your rubbish or recycling was presented correctly, at the right time, and you report it no later than two working days after your collection day.
Official link: Report a missed rubbish or recycling collection
When to report
Report after collections in your area are complete, or after 11.59pm on your scheduled collection day, whichever is sooner.
Deadline
Report no later than two working days after your collection day. If it is older than that, Merton says it cannot return before your next scheduled collection.
Leave it visible
After a successful report, leave the container at the front edge of the property. If it is moved back in, it may not be collected.
| Before reporting | Check this first | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Was it the right day? | Check the address calendar, not a neighbour’s collection date. | If the date was wrong, wait for the correct collection. |
| Was it out by 6am? | Late presentation can mean the bin is not treated as missed. | If it was late, use the next scheduled collection or Garth Road where suitable. |
| Was it contaminated? | Wrong items, open lids, split bags or side waste can stop collection. | Remove the wrong item and follow the next scheduled collection. |
| Was it more than two working days ago? | Merton says not to report older missed collections. | Use Garth Road, pop-up tips or the next collection depending on the item. |
How to put out Merton rubbish and recycling correctly
Merton says rubbish and recycling will only be collected if it is put out correctly. This section matters because many “missed bin” problems are really presentation problems.
Official link: How to put out your rubbish and recycling for collection
What to put in Merton bins, bags and recycling boxes
Merton uses different containers depending on property type and outside space. Use the correct container before bin day because wrong items can make a collection fail.
Official guide: What to put in your bins, bags and recycling boxes
caddy
Food waste bin: food only
Accepted food waste includes bread, dairy, fruit, vegetables, tea bags, coffee grounds, peelings, egg shells, bones, rice, pasta, fish and meat. Use a compostable liner or newspaper.
Keep out: plastic bags, packaging, liquids, oil, liquid fat and kitchen roll.
Containers recycling: rinse, squash and separate
Recycling boxes can take aerosols, foil, cans, cartons, glass bottles and jars, lids, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays. Empty and rinse containers and remove film lids.
Keep out: paper and card from this container stream where Merton separates them.
or clear bags
Paper and card
Use for magazines, newspapers, junk mail, catalogues, envelopes, card packaging, egg boxes, toilet roll tubes and cardboard. Tear up and flatten large boxes.
Keep out: disposable paper masks, food-soiled pizza boxes, cartons, tissue paper and plastic bags.
or communal bins
Mixed recycling for some properties
Some homes with no outside space use purple bags or communal recycling bins. These may take containers plus paper and card, but you should follow the exact service for your address.
bags
Mixed containers, not paper or card
Blue striped bags may be supplied where there is no outside space. Merton lists aerosols, foil, cans, cartons, glass and plastics for this stream, but says no paper or card.
bin or sacks
Non-recyclable rubbish
Use for normal non-recyclable household waste. Keep recyclable materials, food waste, hazardous waste, electrical items and garden waste out.
Merton garden waste calendar PDF: yellow (A) and white (B) weeks
Merton’s garden waste calendar PDF shows a fortnightly yellow (A) and white (B) pattern. Use the address checker first to know whether your property is on yellow week or white week, then use the PDF as a supporting calendar.
Official PDF: Garden waste calendar December 2025 – November 2026
Put garden waste out by 6am
The PDF says garden waste bins should be out by 6am at the front edge of your property, close to the public pavement, so crews can see and reach them.
Yellow or white week
January 2026 starts with week commencing 5 January as white (B), then 12 January as yellow (A). The pattern alternates through the calendar.
Christmas changes
The PDF says real Christmas tree collections start on 6 January and Christmas/New Year garden collections may take place up to three days later than usual.
Can you share with a neighbour?
The PDF says no. Only garden waste contained within your own subscribed bin with lid closed, or branded sacks, will be collected.
Too much garden waste?
Pay for additional bins if available, or take excess garden waste to Garth Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre.
Time-banded collections in Merton
If you live in a flat above a shop, or your property entrance is on a high-footfall street, you may have time-banded collections. This means you can only put recycling and rubbish bags out during set times.
Official link: Time-banded collections for rubbish and recycling
Put bags out 6pm to 8pm
Merton says time-banded bags must only be put out between 6pm and 8pm on collection days.
Purple bags for recycling
Use purple bags for recycling. Merton says you can put out as many purple recycling bags as you need.
Black bags for rubbish
Use black bags for general rubbish, or older Merton-logo blue bags until they run out. Wrong timing can lead to a penalty charge notice.
Garth Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre, Morden
Garth Road is Merton’s household reuse and recycling centre. It is for Merton residents only, and visitors must bring proof of address such as a recent Council Tax statement or driving licence.
Address: 63-69 Amenity Way, off Garth Road, Morden SM4 4AX.
Official link: Garth Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre
| Visit type | Official rule | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Car without trailer | Book before visiting. Slots can be booked 1 hour to 13 days ahead if available. | Do not load the car before confirming a slot. |
| Foot or bicycle | No booking needed. Staff check proof of address and take items at the gate. | Pedestrians do not enter the main site, so keep items manageable. |
| Cars, cyclists and pedestrians opening | Open 8am to 4pm seven days a week, including bank holidays, except listed Christmas/New Year closures. | Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. |
| Van, trailer or large vehicle | Booking is essential, limits apply, and vans have separate opening times. | Check height, weight, trailer and annual access limits before hiring a van. |
Bulky waste, white goods and pop-up tips in Merton
From 1 June 2026, every Merton household can book one free bulky waste collection per year for up to three household items. Items should be left outside but within your property boundary, not on the public pavement or road.
Official link: Recycling furniture, fridges and other bulky items
Free annual collection
One free bulky waste collection per household per year covers up to three household items.
Put items out by 6am
Bulky items must be outside by 6am on the collection day, visible and accessible for the crew.
Cover soft furnishings
Merton says sofas, mattresses and other soft furnishings should be covered with plastic to stop them getting wet.
New bins, boxes, bags and food waste caddies
If your container is missing, damaged or not suitable, use Merton’s container request page. Merton says new containers or bags are normally delivered within 10 working days, and some wheelie bins have a £19 charge.
Official link: Get a new bin, recycling box or bags
While you wait
Store rubbish or recycling safely until containers arrive, or take suitable items to Garth Road.
Communal bins
If you use shared bins, check the council container guidance instead of ordering a random household bin.
Food caddy missing?
Request a replacement food waste container through the official Merton route.
Common Merton bin problems and the safest fix
| Problem | Likely cause | Best fix |
|---|---|---|
| The collection calendar does not match my neighbour | Different property type, flat service, communal bins or time-banded collection. | Use your own address in the official checker. |
| Food caddy keeps attracting foxes | Lid not locked or bin left out too early. | Lock the handle, keep it secure until collection and wedge it against a wall or fence. |
| Paper/card recycling rejected | Food-soiled pizza boxes, wet card, plastic bags or tissue paper. | Keep paper/card dry, flatten boxes and remove non-paper items. |
| Bulky collection not taken | Items not visible, inaccessible, on public pavement, or not outside by 6am. | Place items inside your boundary and make them easy to see and reach. |
| Need to clear items quickly | Missed deadline or collection slot unavailable. | Check Garth Road booking, pop-up tips, charity donation or retailer take-back. |
Merton bin collection FAQs
How do I check my Merton bin collection calendar?
Use Merton Council’s My Recycling and Waste checker. Enter your address, then use the available options to view, download, print or add collection dates to your online calendar.
What time should I put rubbish and recycling out in Merton?
Put rubbish and recycling out by 6am on collection day, unless your property has time-banded collections.
Where should I place my bin, box or bags?
Place waste at the front edge of your property, within arm’s reach of the pavement, where crews can see it. Do not put it on the pavement or road unless your specific service requires bags there.
When can I report a missed collection in Merton?
Report after collections in your area are complete or after 11.59pm on your scheduled collection day, whichever is sooner.
How long do I have to report a missed collection?
Merton says missed rubbish or recycling should be reported no later than two working days after your collection day.
What should I do after reporting a missed collection?
Leave the container at the front edge of your property for recollection. If it is moved back in, it may not be collected.
Can I put plastic bags in my food waste caddy?
No. Merton says to use compostable liners or newspaper, not plastic bags, and to keep packaging, liquids, oil and kitchen roll out of food waste.
How do I know if I am yellow or white garden waste week?
Use Merton’s address checker to confirm whether your subscribed garden waste collection is yellow (A) or white (B). The PDF calendar is only useful after you know your week.
Do Merton garden waste collections run every week?
No. The garden waste calendar PDF shows fortnightly collections, alternating between yellow (A) and white (B) collection weeks.
Can I share a Merton garden waste bin with a neighbour?
The garden waste calendar PDF says no. Only garden waste contained within your own subscribed bin with lid closed, or branded sacks, will be collected.
Do I need to book Garth Road recycling centre?
Cars must book before visiting. Foot and bicycle visitors do not need to book, but must bring proof of address.
Is Merton bulky waste collection free?
From 1 June 2026, every Merton household can book one free bulky waste collection each year for up to three household items.
The safest Merton bin routine
Check your exact address
Use the official checker, then save or print your collection dates.
Put waste out correctly
Use the right container, close lids, avoid side waste, and put it at the correct location by 6am.
Separate food, paper and containers
Keep food waste out of rubbish and keep paper/card dry and separate where your service requires it.
Use the right exception route
Missed reports, garden waste, time-banded bags, bulky waste and Garth Road visits each have their own official route.
Independent guide: This page is not Merton Council. It is a practical resident guide linking to official council services. Collection dates, Christmas changes, garden waste weeks, Garth Road access, bulky waste rules, charges and missed-collection processes can change, so always confirm urgent or address-specific information on Merton Council’s website.