Southwark bin collection
Enter your postcode and pick your address to see your next bin days for Southwark.
Southwark summary
- Status
- Supported
- Population
- 314,786
- Postcode districts
- 16
- Bin types seen
- 3
- Food waste collection
- Yes
- Council website
- Southwark
Bin colours and collections in Southwark
The 3 bin types Bin Day has seen at addresses in Southwark. Your specific road may have a slightly different mix.
Southwark bins include the green, blue and black bin. Tap a colour to see what it usually holds, or check your address above for the next date.
Food Waste
Food wasteCooked and uncooked food scraps from the kitchen, collected weekly in a small caddy. The collection is free and runs every week, even in bank holiday weeks.
What goes in
- Cooked and uncooked food including meat, fish and bones
- Plate scrapings, peelings and out-of-date food
- Bread, rice, pasta, tea bags, coffee grounds
- Eggshells and dairy in small amounts
What stays out
- Liquids and cooking oils
- Pet waste, nappies, sanitary products
- Plastic bags unless certified compostable
- Packaging of any kind
Recycling
Mixed recyclingThe main recycling bin. Plastics, metals, cartons and (in many councils) glass go in together. Items go in loose, not bagged.
What goes in
- Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays (clean)
- Drinks cans, food tins, clean foil
- Drinks cartons and Tetra Pak
- Aerosol cans (empty)
What stays out
- Soft plastics and carrier bags (until 31 March 2027 in England)
- Polystyrene and foam
- Coffee cups (specialist drop-off)
- Anything contaminated with food
General Waste
General wasteAnything that cannot be recycled or composted. Most councils have moved general waste to fortnightly to make room for the new weekly food collection.
What goes in
- Cling film and food packaging that cannot be recycled
- Used tissues, nappies, sanitary products
- Polystyrene, broken china, vacuum dust
- Pet waste in sealed bags
What stays out
- Items that should go in recycling
- Food waste (use the caddy)
- Electricals and batteries (separate route or HWRC)
- Garden waste in volume
Southwark on the map
Bin day guides for Southwark
Common bin collection questions for Southwark residents, with the practical detail on each.
Postcodes covered by Southwark
Postcodes here start with SE1, SE1P, SE4, SE5, SE8, SE11, SE14, SE15, SE16, SE17, SE19, SE21, SE22, SE23, SE24 and SE26. Each district has its own bin collection page on Bin Day.
Some postcode districts straddle two councils. Enter your full postcode above to confirm which council collects your bins.
Common questions about Southwark bins
- How do I find my bin day in Southwark?
- Enter your postcode at the top of this page and pick your address. Bin Day pulls the next collection dates straight from the Southwark bin lookup.
- Does Southwark collect food waste?
- Yes. Bin Day has seen food waste collections at addresses in Southwark. Use the lookup above to confirm your address.
- What happens if Southwark misses my bin?
- Wait until the working day after the missed collection, then report it on the Southwark site. Most councils ask for the report within 24 to 48 hours and return within two to three working days.
- Do bin days change on bank holidays in Southwark?
- Yes. Most councils slide collections by a day or two when a bank holiday falls on a working day. Christmas and New Year usually run a published two-week revised schedule. The lookup above always reflects whatever schedule Southwark is running.
- How does garden waste work in Southwark?
- Southwark runs garden waste as an optional subscription in most cases. Sign-up, fees and the collection season are on the Southwark council site.
More UK council bin collections
Browse 361 UK councils on Bin Day or jump to a neighbouring council in the alphabetical list.