Recycling, rubbish and waste

Photograph of old fridgesWe provide a range of recycling and waste services including: refuse collections, recycling banks and disposal sites, garden waste and special and bulky collections

For the the full range of services please see the links below.

Lambeth Reuse and Recycling Centre - Hard plastics

We are temporarily unable to accept hard plastics at Lambeth Reuse and Recycling Centre. Lambeth is among a number of London boroughs that have suddenly had the service cut by the company that processes these recyclables.

We are working to resolve this problem as quickly as possible and are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Please check back here or call the service centre to find out when this service has resumed.

Bulky and special collections

You can request a collection of special or bulky items such as old furniture and mattresses, large metal goods and fridge/freezers.

Clinical waste

We collect waste such as blood, bodily fluids, drugs, pharmaceutical products, needles and sharp instruments from your home.

Food waste

You can recycle your food waste from home using our free food waste collection service.

Garden waste

You can recycle garden waste using either biodegradable or reusable bags. You can also buy compost bins or join a local community scheme to compost kitchen and garden waste.

Hazardous waste (household)

You can arrange a free collection of wrapped asbestos or packaged chemicals from your home.

Lambeth Reuse and Recycling Centre

Lambeth Reuse and Recycling Centre on Vale Street is a reuse and recycling only centre. It no longer accepts non-recyclable items.

Recycling banks and disposal sites

There are over 40 recycling sites around the borough which take a range of materials. Lambeth residents can also use three reuse and recycling centres located in Lambeth and Wandsworth to recycle or dispose of household waste.

Recycling for charities and community groups

If you are a registered charity, community or voluntary group in Lambeth and would like to start recycling, we can provide you with free recycling services.

Recycling for schools

We provide all schools in the borough with recycling containers and work with them to promote recycling.

Recycling from home

Recycle your household rubbish using our free orange sacks and green boxes for collection, or the recycling banks on your estate.

Reducing and recycling rubbish - a guide

A guide to reducing and recycling rubbish, including why rubbish is a problem and what you can do to make a difference.

Refuse collections

We collect rubbish and recycling from every home every week, replace stolen or damaged rubbish bins, and can arrange assisted collections.

Re-use and recycling schemes

You can donate left-over paint, unused mobile phones, unwanted computers and old furniture for reuse.

Textile and WEEE recycling

You can recycle unwanted clothes, textile, shoes, electrical and electronic items using our new textile and WEEE recycling service. We can collect the items from your home or business. 

The future of waste

Lambeth is devising a new waste strategy that will cover the next 20 years of recycling and rubbish services in the borough. The government has set high national targets around waste disposal and recycling for the coming years, the waste strategy will address how these will be met. We want to know what your views are to ensure we come up with the best approach for our borough.