Bromley Bin Days Without Confusion
Use this guide to check your collection day, put the right containers out by 7am, fix missed collection problems, sort food waste, black box paper, green box recycling and refuse correctly.
It is built for quick scanning: choose your problem, read the exact answer, then use the official Bromley link only when it is the right step.
Quick answer: Bromley collects food waste every week. On your collection day you normally put out food waste and either black box paper/card with non-recyclable refuse, or green box bottles/cans/plastic with weekly bags for batteries, small electricals and textiles where eligible.
Most important rule: place recycling and waste at the edge of your property, within arm’s reach of the pavement, by 7am. Do not put containers directly on the pavement and do not hide them behind locked gates or parked cars.
Choose your Bromley waste problem first
Tap one option. This gives the right action before you open a form.
Bin collection day and 7am presentation rule
Bromley’s collection rules are simple but strict. If the containers are not presented correctly, it may not count as a missed collection.
| User question | Bromley answer | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| How do I check my collection day? | Use Bromley’s official postcode/address checker or download a calendar. | Check exact address; do not rely on a neighbour’s box. |
| What time must it be out? | By 7am on scheduled collection day. | Put it out the night before if your road is collected early. |
| Where should containers go? | At the edge of your property boundary, within arm’s reach of the pavement. | Do not place containers directly on the pavement. |
| Can crews open gates? | If hidden behind a locked gate or blocked by a parked car, collection may fail. | Keep the route visible and accessible. |
| Do all streams come at the same time? | Same collection day, but different collections can happen at different times. | Leave everything out until the end of the day before reporting. |
What to put out this week in Bromley
Bromley uses several containers, so the task is not just “bin day”. Check which stream is due.
Food waste
Collected every week. Use the food waste container, not black bags.
Black box
Paper and card every other week. Keep paper dry if possible.
Green box
Bottles, cans, glass, cartons and rigid plastic containers every other week.
Refuse sacks
Non-recyclable refuse every other week, securely contained.
Bromley container sorting guide
This table answers the main searcher question: “Which Bromley container do I use?”
| Container / waste type | Use for | Do not include | Helpful Bromley tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food waste container | Fruit, veg, peelings, meat, fish, bones, cooked/uncooked food, plate scrapings, leftovers, bread, pasta, cereal, rice, tea bags, coffee grounds, dairy, eggshells, small cut flowers. | Plastic film, food wrapping, plastic or biodegradable bags, nappies, incontinence pads, pet waste, household rubbish. | Keep caddy/outdoor lids closed and locked to reduce smell, foxes and vermin. |
| Black box | Newspapers, magazines, letters, bills, envelopes, catalogues, phone books, flattened cardboard, pizza/cereal/egg boxes, cardboard tubes, no-glitter cards, shredded paper in envelope/bag/cereal box. | Hardback books, drink/milk cartons, Tetra Paks. | Wet paper is collected, but dry paper recycles better. Cover the box on windy/wet days. |
| Green box | Drink cans, aerosols, food tins, foil, glass bottles/jars, plastic bottles, trays, yoghurt pots, tubs, Tetra Paks, plastic/aluminium tubes, plastic plant pots. | Black plastic containers, plastic bags, plastic film, toys, crisp packets, sweet wrappers, Pyrex, drinking glasses, crockery, broken/window glass, polystyrene. | If it scrunches, Bromley does not take it in the green box. Try larger supermarket soft-plastic bins. |
| Non-recyclable refuse | Waste not included in recycling, double-bagged pet waste, double-bagged nappies/incontinence pads, plastic film, plastic bags, toys, polystyrene, cooled oil/fat in sealed container, carefully wrapped glass. | Recyclables, garden waste, bulky items, construction/demolition waste, electricals, batteries, clothes/textiles. | Bromley does not supply refuse containers; use secure sacks or compliant storage. |
| Batteries, vapes, small electricals | Separately bagged and loosely tied household batteries, lithium batteries, button cells, irons, toasters, electric toys, phones, laptops, MP3 players, vapes. | Loose in rubbish/recycling, car batteries, fridges, washing machines, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, printers, laminators. | Leave bags by green or black box. Do not use black bags. |
| Clothes and textiles | Separately bagged clothes, towels, tea towels, rags, worn textiles, shoes, handbags, duvet covers. | Duvets, pillows, quilts, sleeping bags, wellies, suitcases, cushions. | If vehicle space is limited, bring it in and put it out next week. |
Missed collection decision tree
A Bromley collection can look missed when it was actually late, blocked, hidden or not presented correctly.
Food waste: weekly collection and smell control
Food waste is weekly, so it should not sit in refuse for two weeks. Use the container and keep it closed.
Accepted
Meat, fish, bones, cooked/uncooked food, plate scrapings, leftovers, bread, pasta, cereal, rice, tea bags, coffee grounds, dairy and eggshells.
Not accepted
Plastic film, wrappers, plastic or biodegradable bags, nappies, incontinence pads, pet waste and general household rubbish.
Fox/vermin tip
Keep lids closed and locked, wash caddy/container with hot water and keep it out of direct sun where possible.
Black box: paper and card
The black box is not a general recycling box. It is mainly paper and card.
| Put in black box | Do not put in black box | Micro-help |
|---|---|---|
| Newspapers, magazines, letters, bills, envelopes, catalogues, phone books, cardboard packaging, boxes, toilet roll tubes, cards without glitter. | Hardback books, drink cartons, milk cartons and Tetra Paks. | Flatten or cut cardboard to fit, or leave a neat manageable 2ft x 3ft bundle next to the box. |
| Shredded paper. | Loose shredded paper blowing around. | Put shredded paper in a large envelope, paper bag or cereal box. |
| Wet paper/card will still be collected. | Leaving paper exposed when it can be kept dry. | Dry paper recycles better; cover the box with a weighted cover on windy/wet days. |
Green box: bottles, cans, glass and rigid plastics
Bromley’s green box accepts many rigid containers, but not soft plastic film or black plastic containers.
Yes items
- Drink cans, aerosol cans, food tins and foil.
- Glass bottles and jars, all colours, including tops.
- Milk, drink, detergent and shampoo bottles.
- Plastic trays, yoghurt pots, ice-cream tubs and margarine tubs.
- Tetra Paks, toothpaste tubes, aluminium tubes and plastic plant pots.
No items
- Black plastic containers or black plant pots.
- Plastic bags, plastic film, crisp packets and sweet wrappers.
- Plastic toys and other metal items.
- Pyrex, drinking glasses, crockery and broken glass.
- Window glass and polystyrene.
Non-recyclable refuse: what belongs in black sacks
Bromley collects non-recyclable refuse every other week. It must be securely contained.
| Accepted in refuse | Keep out of refuse | Container note |
|---|---|---|
| Waste not included in recycling, double-bagged pet waste, double-bagged nappies/incontinence pads, plastic film, plastic bags, plastic toys, polystyrene, vacuum bags/dust, carefully wrapped glass. | Recyclables, garden waste, bulky items, construction/demolition waste, electricals, batteries, clothes and textiles. | Bromley does not supply refuse containers. If using your own wheelie bin, waste needs to be bagged in standard refuse sacks and the bin should meet EN840 safety requirements. |
| Cooled cooking oil/fat in a sealed container. | Oil or fat down the sink. | Oils and fats can create kitchen sink blockages. |
Batteries, vapes, electricals, clothes and textiles
These should not disappear into normal refuse or recycling boxes. Bromley gives kerbside options for houses.
Fire risk
Batteries and hidden batteries can start fires when crushed in waste vehicles. Never put them loose in rubbish or recycling.
Small electricals
Irons, toasters, electric toys, phones, laptops, MP3 players and vapes can be collected if separately bagged and loosely tied.
Textiles
Clothing, towels, rags, shoes, handbags and duvet covers can be separately bagged for weekly kerbside collection at houses.
Garden waste in Bromley: wheelie bin, sacks, sites or compost
Garden waste should not go in ordinary refuse. Choose the route that matches how often you garden.
| Option | Cost / rule | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Green garden waste wheelie bin service | £80 for 12 months; 240 litre bin delivered in about two weeks for new joiners. | Regular gardeners who want home collection. |
| Wheelie bin collection frequency | Every other week March to November; monthly during the remaining three months. | People with seasonal garden waste. |
| Garden waste sack stickers | £3.10 non-refundable sticker per standard refuse sack; book by freephone hotline or email. | Occasional garden waste without annual subscription. |
| Sack weight / placement | Standard refuse sack, max 20kg, front edge of property by 7am after booking. | Small garden clear-ups. |
| Churchfields Road Reuse and Recycling Centre | Accepts garden waste all year, but a booking is needed before visiting. | Residents who can travel and have more garden waste. |
| Weekend green garden waste sites | Temporary/local site option depending on availability. | Residents near a weekend drop-off location. |
| Home composting | Lowest-cost option where suitable. | Grass, leaves, peelings and garden routine waste. |
Garden waste accepted
- Grass cuttings.
- Leaves.
- Prunings.
- Hedge trimmings.
- Small branches and twigs.
Garden waste refused
- Rubble or soil.
- Food or household waste.
- Flower pots.
- Garden furniture or plastic items.
- Tree trunks and large branches.
Bulky waste collection: furniture and large items
Do not put bulky items out without booking. Bromley’s contractor contacts you after payment to agree a collection date within 10 working days.
| Need | Bromley detail | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum bulky waste charge | £43 minimum charge. | Check the full item price list during booking. |
| Benefit concession | Universal Credit or Housing Benefit may give one free collection up to £43 within 12 months. | Prepare proof of eligibility. |
| Collection timing | After payment, contractor agrees date within 10 working days. | Wait for confirmed date before placing items out. |
| On collection day | Items available from 7am to 3.30pm. | Place at the front of your property, easily accessible. |
| Highway rule | Items are removed from outside your property only; do not place on public highway. | Keep items on your property boundary, not blocking pavement. |
| Changes/refund | Changes or cancellation with less than 24 hours notice may not be refunded; rearranging late can trigger another minimum charge. | Finalise items before booking. |
Reuse and recycling centres: Churchfields, Waldo Road and bookings
Use reuse and recycling centres for waste that should not go in kerbside containers. Check vehicle restrictions and booking rules first.
Churchfields Road
Reuse and Recycling Centre in Beckenham. Garden waste is accepted all year, but a visit booking is needed.
Waldo Road
Reuse and Recycling Centre in Bromley. Check official site rules before travelling.
Book and check vehicle rules
Bromley lists a booking system and vehicle restrictions. Do this before loading the car or van.
Flats, shared bins and managing agents
Flats often have different containers from houses. The key is clear storage, clear labels and residents knowing the correct stream.
| Flat / shared-bin issue | Bromley guidance | Practical fix |
|---|---|---|
| General flat recycling | Most residents in flats are provided with a borough-wide waste collection service that enables recycling. | Use the building’s bin-store labels, not house-container colours. |
| Flats above shops | Different arrangements can apply. | Check the specific flats-above-shops guidance. |
| Managing agents / landlords | They must provide appropriate and adequate facilities to store waste and recycling. | Ask them for better signage, bin space or resident instructions. |
| Food waste in flats | Most flats can recycle food waste weekly. | Keep wrappers, nappies, pet waste and general rubbish out. |
| Green lid wheelie bin | For plastics, cans and glass every other week in many flat settings. | No plastic bags, film, black plastic, Pyrex, crockery or broken glass. |
| Blue lid wheelie bin | For paper and card every other week in many flat settings. | No hardback books, drink/milk cartons or Tetra Paks. |
Bank holiday collections and disruption checks
Bank holiday dates can shift the collection timetable. Check Bromley’s revised schedule before leaving waste out early.
| Situation | What to do | Do not do this |
|---|---|---|
| Easter, May bank holiday, Christmas or New Year | Check Bromley’s bank holiday waste page and exact collection day. | Do not rely on last year’s screenshot. |
| Poor weather, vehicle breakdown, roadworks or police incident | Bromley says they try to catch up as soon as possible. | Do not report before end of day if crews may still arrive. |
| You are going away | Ask a neighbour to put containers out and bring them back. | Do not leave containers on/near pavement for days. |
Contact number, call script and official links
Use the phone only when you cannot solve it online or need assistance with collections.
| Need | Contact / route | Have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Waste, recycling, assistance, containers | 0300 303 8658 | Address, postcode, container type, collection date, what happened. |
| Missed collection | Official missed collection form via Bromley top tasks. | Confirm it was out by 7am, correctly placed, accessible and still missed by end of day. |
| Garden waste sack booking | Freephone hotline/email route from Bromley garden waste sack page. | Name, full address, postcode, number of sacks and sticker count. |
| Bulky waste | Online or telephone booking. | Item list, booking reference, payment reference, accessible front-of-property placement. |
Simple phone script
Hello, I’m calling about a Bromley waste collection issue at [full address and postcode]. The container/waste type is [food waste / black box / green box / refuse / textiles / small electricals]. It was placed at the edge of the property by 7am and left until the end of the day. Can you confirm the correct next step?
Official Bromley links after you know the right route
Use the link that matches your problem instead of opening random pages.
Check your collection day
Use for exact postcode/address and calendar downloads.
Check bin dayReport missed collection
Use after checking 7am, correct placement and end-of-day rule.
Open waste top tasksHousehold collections
Use for food, paper, green box, refuse, textiles and electricals.
Collection rulesGarden waste
Use for £80 wheelie bin, £3.10 sack sticker and garden waste options.
Garden wasteRecycling centres
Use for Churchfields, Waldo Road, booking and vehicle restrictions.
Recycling sitesRecycling for flats
Use for shared bins, flat food waste and managing-agent responsibilities.
Flats guidanceBromley Borough Refuse Collection FAQs
How do I check my Bromley bin collection day?
Use Bromley Council’s official bin collection day page and enter your postcode or address. Check the exact address because collection arrangements can vary by road or property type.
What time should I put waste and recycling out in Bromley?
Place recycling and waste at the edge of your property, within arm’s reach of the pavement, by 7am on your scheduled collection day. Do not place containers directly on the pavement.
When can I report a missed collection in Bromley?
Leave containers out until the end of the day because different waste streams may be collected at different times. If still missed, report it within two working days of the scheduled collection.
What goes in Bromley’s black box?
The black box is for paper and card such as newspapers, magazines, letters, envelopes, catalogues, flattened cardboard, cardboard tubes, no-glitter cards and shredded paper placed inside an envelope, paper bag or cereal box.
What goes in Bromley’s green box?
The green box is for bottles, cans, glass, foil, cartons and rigid plastic containers such as plastic bottles, trays, yoghurt pots, tubs, tubes and plant pots. Do not put plastic bags, film, black plastic, Pyrex, crockery, broken glass or polystyrene in it.
Does Bromley collect food waste every week?
Yes. Bromley collects food waste every week. Put food waste in the food waste container by 7am and do not use black bags, plastic bags or biodegradable bags.
Can I put batteries, vapes or small electricals in my rubbish?
No. Batteries, vapes and electrical items should never go in the rubbish bin or recycling containers. If you live in a kerbside property, bag them separately and loosely and leave them by your green or black box.
How much is Bromley garden waste collection?
Bromley’s green garden waste wheelie bin service costs £80 for 12 months. A separate garden waste sack sticker option costs £3.10 per sticker for booked sack collections.
How much is Bromley bulky waste collection?
Bromley’s bulky waste service has a minimum charge of £43. The final cost depends on the number and type of items, and eligible Universal Credit or Housing Benefit residents may get one free collection up to £43 within a 12 month period.
What should flats or managing agents do about recycling?
Most Bromley flats have a borough-wide waste collection service. Managing agents and landlords should provide adequate waste and recycling storage and help residents understand how to use the bins correctly.
Final practical advice
Bromley refuse collection becomes simple when you treat it as a container system: food waste weekly, black box for paper/card, green box for bottles/cans/glass/plastics, refuse for what cannot be recycled, and separate bags for small electricals, batteries, vapes and textiles.
Before reporting a problem, check the basics: correct day, out by 7am, edge of property, visible, accessible, not blocked, and left until the end of the day. Then use Bromley’s official route within two working days.