Medway Refuse Collection: Bin Days, Missed Bins & Waste

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Medway rubbish • blue and white bags • brown bins

Medway Bin Help Without Confusion

Use this page to solve the actual task: check your Medway collection day, put sacks and recycling bags out correctly, report a missed collection on time, and choose the right route for bulky, garden, food, flats or HWRC waste.

Everything is built for fast scanning. Pick the problem, read the exact rule, then use the official Medway link only when it matches your situation.

Choose my problem Check bin day Missed collection steps

Quick answer: Medway collects normal waste, recycling, food waste and garden/organic waste on a weekly schedule, normally on the same day each week for your address. Use the official postcode checker because the day is property-specific.

Main rule: put rubbish, recycling and garden or food waste outside your property by 7am on collection day, and not earlier than the night before. Missed collections must be reported by 4pm the day after the scheduled collection.

Official collection day checker Official missed collection page Official sorting guide

Choose your Medway waste problem first

Tap the option that matches your situation. This gives the correct next step before you open an official form.

Choose one option above to see the best next step.

Medway collection day and 7am rule

Medway’s key difference is simple: refuse, recycling and food or garden waste are collected weekly on the same day, but by different vehicles. That means one container may be collected earlier or later than another.

Question Exact Medway answer What to do
How do I check my day? Use Medway’s postcode/address collection checker. Enter postcode, choose the address, and save the day.
Are services on different days? Medway says all services are collected on the same day: brown bags/bins, garden waste, food waste, recycling and normal waste. Put the correct containers out together, but expect different vehicles.
What time must it be out? By 7am on collection day. Put waste out the night before if you may forget.
How early can I put it out? No earlier than the night before collection. Do not leave sacks or bins out for days.
What about bank holidays? Medway says collections usually happen as normal on bank holidays, except Christmas and New Year. Check seasonal updates near Christmas/New Year.
Local tip: If your street is narrow or parked-up, put sacks and bags at the edge of the property where crews can see them, but not where they block the pavement or get torn by passing pedestrians.
Check your waste collection day GOV.UK Medway bin-day route

What goes in each Medway bag or bin

This is the section that prevents rejected collections. Medway uses different bags and bins, and brown bins must never be used for black sacks.

Container Use it for Do not put in Practical rule
Black rubbish sacks Non-recyclable rubbish, including disposable nappies. Recycling, food waste, garden waste, loose waste in a dustbin, or sacks inside brown bins. Medway does not supply black sacks. Buy strong sacks, do not overfill, and double-bag if needed.
Blue reusable recycling bag Magazines, newspapers, telephone directories, envelopes, junk mail, paper and cardboard. Food waste, black sacks, glass, cans, foil, plastics or wet/dirty paper. Keep paper/cardboard dry where possible.
White reusable bag or clear recycling sack Glass bottles and jars, metal food and drink cans, clean metal foil, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays. Black sacks, dirty packaging, food waste, paper/cardboard, soil or bulky plastics. Rinse containers and separate from blue-bag paper/cardboard.
Brown wheeled bin Food and garden waste for suitable properties. Black sacks, rubbish, soil, stones, rubble and garden waste beyond the bin capacity. One brown bin is normally collected per household unless subscribed additional bins have permits.
Brown reusable garden sacks Garden waste where a brown bin is not suitable; maximum two sacks. Food waste, black sacks, soil, stones, rubble or sacks not issued by Medway Council. Medway only collects council-issued brown garden sacks.
23 litre food waste bin / 5 litre caddy Food waste, usually supported by a kitchen caddy indoors. Packaging, liquids, oil, liquid fat and any material that is not food waste. Flat food waste service started from 6 April 2026.
Medway mistake to avoid: do not put black sacks inside a brown bin. Medway says they will not return to empty the brown bin if it contains black sacks.
Official “what goes in” guide Sort it right

Missed Medway collection: decision tree

A missed collection only works as a report if the waste was out on time, in the right place and in the correct container. Use this before reporting.

Was it your normal collection day?
No → do not report. Use the collection day checker and put waste out next scheduled collection.
Was it out by 7am?
No → it may not count as missed. Put out by 7am next time.
Was it in the correct container?
No → Medway will not collect rubbish or recycling placed in the wrong container.
Was the brown bin contaminated with black sacks?
Yes → remove black sacks and put them at the kerbside on your next collection day.
Was it Friday collection?
If accepted as missed, Medway says they return and collect missed rubbish or recycling on the following Monday.
Need to report?
Report no later than 4pm the day after it was meant to be collected. Late reports wait until the next collection day.
Different form warning: missed rubbish, recycling, food/garden recycling, assisted collection and clinical waste use the missed-bin route, but missed bulky item collections use a separate bulky missed-collection route.
Report missed bin collection Call 01634 333 333

Black sacks and non-recyclable rubbish

Medway does not provide black sacks. You buy them yourself and present them correctly.

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Use strong sacks

All non-recyclable rubbish should go in rubbish bags. Medway recommends black rubbish sacks from local shops or supermarkets.

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Do not overfill

Spread waste across sacks so bags are not too heavy or likely to split. Double-bag or split waste if needed.

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No sacks in bins

Do not leave black sacks inside dustbins, wheeled bins or brown bins on collection day. Put sacks directly at the edge of your property.

Local fox/gull tip: avoid putting food waste in black sacks if you have a brown food waste option. Food in black sacks is more likely to split, smell or attract animals.

Blue bags, white bags and clear recycling sacks

Medway splits recycling into paper/cardboard and containers. Keeping those streams clean reduces rejected recycling.

Blue reusable recycling bag

  • Magazines and newspapers.
  • Telephone directories.
  • Envelopes, junk mail and paper.
  • Cardboard.
  • Keep paper and card as clean and dry as possible.

White reusable bag or clear sack

  • Glass bottles and jars.
  • Metal food and drink cans.
  • Clean metal foil.
  • Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays.
  • Some property types also list carrier bags in white/clear sacks.
Clear sack delivery: Medway says a new roll of clear recycling sacks is delivered every 13 weeks and left close to the doorstep to avoid letterbox damage.
Order recycling bags and bins

Brown bins, brown sacks and food waste

Brown containers are for organic waste only. Whether you get a brown bin or brown sacks depends on property suitability and storage.

Situation Medway rule What to do
Property suitable for brown bin Most houses set back from the highway may have a brown wheeled bin if storage and safe presentation are possible. Use the brown bin for garden and food waste only.
Property not suitable for brown bin You may have one 23 litre food waste bin and two reusable brown sacks for garden waste. Do not put food waste in the reusable brown garden sacks.
Food waste Recycle all food waste including meat, fish, plate scraps, peelings, bread, pasta, rice, egg shells, tea bags and coffee grounds. Use a kitchen caddy first, then empty into the brown bin or communal food bin.
Food waste not accepted No packaging, liquids such as milk, oil, liquid fat or non-food material. Keep liquids and packaging out of the brown container.
Caddy liners Medway says liners are available from libraries; 2026 wording lists £2.60 for a roll of 26. You can also line the caddy with newspaper or compostable liners.
Extra garden waste Since 2 June 2025, extra garden waste outside the brown bin is not collected. Compost, use HWRC, or subscribe for permitted additional brown bins.
Brown bins and sacks Food waste rules

Extra garden waste subscription in Medway

You can still present one brown wheeled bin or two brown bags of garden waste each week for free. The paid subscription is only for extra brown bins.

Subscription point 2026/27 Medway detail Practical note
Who needs it? Households that regularly need more than one brown bin or two brown bags. Do not subscribe if the free allocation is enough.
Start/end dates 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Subscription period is fixed.
Cost £40 for each additional brown bin subscription. Pay in full when ordering.
Maximum extra bins Up to 3 additional brown bins per eligible property. Each additional bin must display its own permit.
Late start The standard £40 fee applies within the subscription period regardless of start date. There is no pro-rata saving shown for starting late.
Who cannot use it? Private gardeners, grounds maintenance companies and management agencies doing gardening or clearance works. Commercial garden waste needs a proper business route.
Garden waste shortcut: small branches must be no more than 5cm across for garden waste routes. Soil, stones and rubble are not garden waste.
Garden waste subscription service Branches and twigs rules

Bulky waste collection in Medway

Use bulky collection for listed large domestic items only. Do not put out unlisted items, business waste, glass/mirrors or hazardous waste.

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Free option

One free standard bulky waste collection per household each year, up to 3 items, subject to availability.

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Paid standard

Extra standard booking: £30 on your usual rubbish day.

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Express

Different weekday collection: £54, subject to availability.

3

Item limit

Up to 3 items per booking; maximum 3 bookings per home for one collection day.

Accepted examples Not accepted Presentation rule
Bed base/frame, mattress, chest of drawers, cot, headboard, wardrobe without mirrors. Glass, mirrors, commercial fridges/freezers, building waste, asbestos, petrol, chemicals. Items must be outside by 7am at the usual waste collection point or agreed kerbside location.
Bath not cast iron, bidet, shower tray, sink, toilet. Large garden items such as sheds, garages and fence panels. Items must be at ground level; crews cannot carry items up/down steps or enter the property.
Cooker, oven, hob, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, tumble dryer, washing machine, microwave. Items infested with vermin, hazardous contamination, sharp damaged edges or exposed blades. Metal and non-metal items may be collected by different vehicles at different times.
Armchair, sofa, carpet up to 10ft x 10ft, TV, computer, desk, table, vacuum cleaner. Anything not selected during booking. If an item is not on the booking list, it will not be collected.
Change/cancel rule: change or cancel by 4pm the weekday before collection. Paid bookings may not be refunded if you miss this deadline; free bookings may still count as your free annual collection.
Bulky collection costs Items Medway collects Call 01634 333 333

Medway household waste and recycling centres

Use HWRCs when kerbside collection is not the right route, but sort materials before you arrive.

HWRC point Medway detail What to do
Capstone Shawstead Road, Capstone, Kent, ME7 3JL. Slots include 8am to 4pm blocks. Book visit online and sort materials before travelling.
Cuxton Accepts many household items including furniture, light bulbs, mattresses, plasterboard, scrap metal, TVs and wood. Check accepted item list before loading.
Mixed bags Capstone page says mixed bags of recycling cannot be recycled on site. Separate material types before arrival.
Cars Private cars under 2 metres high with 9 seats or less can use Cuxton; rules vary by site. Check vehicle rules for your site.
Small vans Small privately owned vans can be booked for Cuxton or Capstone on Wednesdays and Saturdays for Medway residents paying Council Tax. Vehicle must fit under 2m, single wheelbase and weigh under 2 tonnes including contents.
Not permitted vehicles Transit vans, single cab pick-ups, large vans, vans with trailers, Luton box vans, flatbeds, horseboxes, bikes and mobility scooters are not permitted. Use a correct vehicle or alternative licensed waste route.
Site sorting tip: do not arrive with everything in mixed bags. Put paper, metals, timber, appliances, textiles, garden waste and other materials into separate groups before you leave home.
Capstone recycling centre Cuxton recycling centre

Flats, shared recycling bins and communal waste

Medway flats may use shared blue recycling bins or clear recycling sacks. Do not treat communal recycling bins as general waste bins.

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Shared blue recycling bin

Flats may have shared blue recycling bins for paper, cardboard, glass, cans, foil, plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays and carrier bags.

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No black sacks in recycling

Black rubbish sacks in shared recycling bins are treated as general waste and can result in a contamination strike.

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Flat food waste

From 6 April 2026, Medway flats have a food waste collection service. Empty silver caddy food waste into the communal food recycling bin.

Flat garden waste: if you live in a flat and maintain a private garden, you can apply for a brown bin through the garden waste subscription service.
Medway flats waste rules

Assisted, clinical and hard-to-present waste

Use these routes when standard kerbside presentation is difficult or unsafe.

Need Correct route Action
Illness, infirmity or disability prevents putting waste out Assisted bin collection. Request assisted collection instead of missing collection repeatedly.
Assisted collection is missed Missed bin collection page includes assisted collection reports. Report by 4pm the day after collection was due.
Clinical waste missed Missed bin page includes clinical waste. Use the Medway missed collection route or call 01634 333 333.
Bulky item missed Separate missed bulky item route. Report by 4pm the day after your bulky item was due or you may not get a refund.
Missed collection route Call 01634 333 333

Medway waste phone number and call script

Use the online form where possible. Call when you cannot use the form, need to change a bulky booking, or have a problem that does not fit the usual route.

Need Contact Have ready
Waste, missed collection, bulky, assisted collection, subscription help 01634 333 333 Address, postcode, collection day, waste type, reference number if applicable.
Bulky booking by phone 01634 333 333, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm; phone no later than 3.30pm to finish a booking. Item list, date choice, card payment and collection location.
Bulky missed item 01634 333 333 or missed bulky item form. Reference number and postcode; report by 4pm the day after collection.
General Council contact Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR. Use specific waste route first for faster handling.

Call script

Hello, I’m calling about a Medway waste collection issue at [full address and postcode]. The collection day was [day/date]. The waste type was [black sacks / blue recycling bag / white bag / clear sack / brown bin / bulky item]. It was put out by 7am at [location]. Can you confirm the correct next step?

Medway Refuse Collection FAQs

How do I check my Medway refuse collection day?

Use Medway Council’s official waste collection day checker and enter your postcode, then select your address. Medway says normal waste, recycling, food waste and garden or brown container collections are normally collected on the same day for your address.

What time should I put rubbish and recycling out in Medway?

Put rubbish, recycling and food or garden waste outside your property by 7am on collection day. Medway also says waste should not be placed out earlier than the night before.

When can I report a missed Medway bin collection?

You must report a missed collection no later than 4pm the day after it was meant to be collected. Missed collections reported after that time will not be collected until the next collection day.

What goes in Medway’s blue recycling bag?

The blue reusable recycling bag is for magazines, newspapers, telephone directories, envelopes, junk mail, paper and cardboard.

What goes in Medway’s white recycling bag or clear sack?

The white reusable bag or clear recycling sack is for glass bottles and jars, metal food and drink cans, clean metal foil, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays.

Does Medway Council provide black rubbish sacks?

No. Medway Council says it does not provide black rubbish sacks for non-recyclable waste. Residents need to buy black sacks themselves from local shops or supermarkets.

Can I put black sacks in my brown bin in Medway?

No. Brown bins are for garden and food waste only. Medway says it will not return to empty a brown bin if it contains black sacks; remove the sacks and place them at the kerbside on the next collection day.

How much is Medway’s extra garden waste subscription?

For the 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 subscription period, each additional brown bin subscription costs £40. Eligible properties can subscribe for up to three additional brown bins, and each must display its own permit.

How much is bulky waste collection in Medway?

Medway allows one free standard bulky waste collection per household each year, up to 3 items, subject to availability. Extra bookings cost £30 for collection on your usual rubbish day or £54 for a different weekday express collection.

Who do I call about Medway bins and bulky waste?

Call Medway Council on 01634 333 333 for waste, bulky collection and missed collection support. For bulky bookings, phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, and Medway asks callers to phone no later than 3.30pm to finish a booking.

Final practical advice

For Medway refuse collection, the winning routine is simple: check your address, put everything out by 7am, use black sacks only for non-recyclable rubbish, keep blue-bag paper/card separate from white-bag plastics/glass/cans, and keep black sacks out of brown bins.

If the waste does not fit the normal weekly collection, choose the correct route: bulky booking, additional garden waste subscription, HWRC visit, assisted collection, clinical waste route or a licensed waste carrier.

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