Garden waste
You can recycle garden waste using either biodegradable bags or reusable bags which you can order from us free of charge.
You can also buy home composting bins or join a local community composting scheme to compost kitchen and garden waste.
Garden waste news
During April we introduced a pilot scheme where we will collect your garden waste as part of a scheduled service. The scheme will be trialled for 12 months in selected areas of Streatham and Norwood.
It means that instead of calling us to arrange a collection, you can simply put out your garden waste bag every fortnight on the same day as your normal rubbish collection.
Residents in the targeted areas have already received information on the scheme. If you think that your property may be included in the target area but have not received any information email us at recycling@lambeth.gov.uk.
If the pilot scheme is successful scheduled garden waste collections could be introduced across the borough. Look out for updates on this page.
Garden waste collections
We offer two options to residents:
- reusable bags
- biodegradable bags.
We would encourage you to use the reusable sack where this suits your needs, and we will collect your garden waste in either or both of these. The garden waste collected will then be composted and used in local parks and green spaces.
If you're new to the service
If you haven't used the service before and would like to take part, contact the call centre on 020 7926 9000 or register using the online garden waste form.
How the service works
Households are provided with 10 biodegradable bags and a reusable bag. The biodegradable bags have to be kept in a dark dry space until they are needed to prevent degrading in storage.
You don't need to wait until the reusable bag is full and it is better that we collect the waste before it starts to break down. When you are ready for a collection call 020 7926 9000 to arrange a collection date.
What can I put in my garden waste sack?
- Grass cuttings
- Leaves and twigs
- Weeds, plants and flowers
- Hedge trimmings
What can't I put in my garden waste sack?
- Kitchen waste (such as peelings.)
- General rubbish
- Soil, rubble, large branches
- Disposable nappies
- Any other recycling
How to request additional bags
Contact the call centre on 020 7926 9000, email recycling@lambeth.gov.uk or complete our online garden waste form to request additional bags.
Christmas tree recycling
Each year we run a Christmas tree recycling scheme at the beginning of January. Depending on the type of property you live in, we will either collect your real Christmas tree from your home or from a local drop site.
If you live in a kerbside property, leave your real Christmas tree next to your refuse bin on your normal collection day. If you live in a Lambeth Living property, leave your tree next to your estate recycling bin.
If you do not live in a kerbside or Lambeth Living property, you can still recycle your Christmas tree by taking them to any of the following drop sites:
- Clapham Common, Windmill Drive, SW4
- Kennington Park, Kennington Park Road, SE11
- Streatham Common, Streatham High Road, SW16
- Lambeth Reuse and Recycling Centre, Vale Street, West Norwood, SE27
We will let you know the collection dates nearer the time.
Composting at home
Home composting can produce a rich soil improver for your garden. By composting, you can also help to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill.
Compost your kitchen (uncooked fruit and vegetables only) and garden waste by using a compost bin or by joining a local community composting scheme.
We have joined up with STRAIGHT plc who are able to offer residents a compost bin at reduced prices. New for this Autumn is a special double offer on compost bins. Residents can now save £3 on compost bins and also buy one get one half price!
The special offer prices are as follows:
- Converter 220 litre - Was £16.50, now £13.50
- Converter 330 litre - Was £19.50, now £16.50
You can also get a 190 litre water butt at the special discount price of £40!
Other products included in the offer:
- Converter base - £10
- Five litre kitchen caddy - £4
- Compostable liners (roll of 25) - £3.50
- Biotal activator - £5
- Kitchen composter double kit (Bokashi system) - £25 (RRP £50)
- Complete water butt kit - £42.95
There is a £5 charge for home delivery.
How to get a compost bin
To get your bin at the offer price you must be a Lambeth resident. To order your compost bin contact STRAIGHT plc on 0845 130 60 90 or visit www.lambeth.getcomposting.com
For more information on how to produce your own quality compost at home see our top ten useful tips or visit www.recyclenow.com/compost
Leaf recycling
Each autumn we clear street leaves from 14,000km of the borough’s highway. We put on extra staff and vehicles during this period which usually starts in late October depending on seasonal factors such as rainfall, earlyfrost and high winds.
This year we will collect an estimated 400 tonnes of leaves using reusable and bio-degradable bags. 'Dirty' or contaminated leaves are collected in normal street sweeper bags for disposal. Leaves are considered to be dirty if they are mixed with contaminants such as street litter, dog mess, dust and metal from vehicle movements and diesel or engine oil.
We recycle all clean leaves which are sent for composting. This year we expect to recycle 120 tonnes, over a quarter of all the leaves collected and our best performance yet for leaf recycling!
If you want to recycle your leaves, try composting them at home. To know how to get the best out of your leaves as a soil improver or for potting and sowing, visit Recycle Now for top tips on leaf compost.