Textile and WEEE recycling
We have introduced a new service to make it easy for you to recycle items you may have normally thrown away. You can now recycle your unwanted clothes, textiles and electricals from your kerbside property or business.
If you live on an estate you can recycle your clothes, textiles and shoes using our on-street recycling banks. You can also recycle your WEEE at the reuse and recycling centres. We are hoping to introduce textile and WEEE recycling banks on estates next year.
How does the service work?
Put your unwanted textiles or WEEE in any carrier bag or bin liner. WEEE items must be bagged separately from clothes and textiles. Put a textile/WEEE sticker on at least one of your bags, or attach a note if you do not have any stickers. If an item cannot fit into a carrier bag or bin liner, simply attach a sticker or note to it. Notes should be marked ‘For collection by Lambeth Council’.
When you are ready for a collection call us on 020 7926 9000 to arrange a collection date.
Please do not use the orange recycling bags for textile or WEEE items.
What is WEEE?
WEEE stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and includes items such as kettles, stereos and toys. We can collect most WEEE items under this service except for fridges, freezers, white goods, TVs and monitors as these items contain hazardous chemicals. Residents can use our bulky waste service to get these items collected from home.
What WEEE items can I recycle?
- Kettles and toasters
- Irons
- Lamps
- Microwaves
- Kitchen gadgets
- Vacuum cleaners
- Toys
- Stereos, radios, cameras and Hi-fis
- DVD, VCR and CD players
- Computer base units, laptops and consoles
- Computer peripherals (e.g. printers)
- Electric shavers and toothbrushes
- Hairdryers and straighteners
- Sewing machines
- Heaters and fans
- Air conditioning units
If you have a WEEE item that is not on the list, you can check with us if can accept it for recycling.
What textiles can I recycle?
- All clean clothing
- All textiles (including off-cuts)
- Curtains
- Blankets
- Sheets
- Towels
- Handbags
- Belts
What can’t I recycle?
- Duvets and pillows
- Sleeping bags
- Televisions
- Monitors
- Light bulbs
- Fluorescent tubes
- Fridges
- Freezers
- Washing machines
- Other white goods
What should I do with unwanted TVs, monitors and fridges?
To arrange a bulky waste collection for TVs, computer monitors, fridges, freezers and other white goods:
What if I need more stickers?
You can pick up more stickers from local libraries and the customer centre in Streatham. Alternatively, just attach a note to the bags or items marked 'For collection by Lambeth Council'.
What happens to my textiles and WEEE?
Your textiles will be collected from us by BCR Global and sent to developing countries for reuse as wearable clothing. Any items that are unsuitable for reuse will be recycled into industrial wipers or stuffing for dashboards, mattresses and upholstery. Your WEEE items will be collected from us by SWEEEP Recycling to be recycled into new products.