Solihull Bin Help Without Guesswork
Use this guide to check your Solihull bin day, put containers out correctly, avoid missed-bin refusals, understand recycling, subscribe for garden waste, book bulky waste and use Bickenhill tip.
It is built for quick scrolling: choose your problem, follow the exact rule, then use the official council link only when you are ready to act.
Quick answer: Solihull Council waste containers must be out by 6.00am on collection day at the edge of your property where it meets the footpath or road. Use the official collection calendar for your exact address.
Most important rule: wait until 4.00pm before reporting a missed bin, report within 2 working days, and do not expect a return if the bin was late, in the wrong place, too heavy or contained materials the council does not collect.
Choose your Solihull bin problem
Tap your situation first. This gives the correct next step before you open a council form.
Check bin day and 6am rule
For most Solihull residents, the right answer starts with the official collection calendar and the correct presentation point.
| User question | Solihull Council answer | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| How do I check my bin day? | Use Solihull’s online bin collection calendar. | Enter your address and save/download your calendar. |
| What time should bins go out? | All waste and recycling containers must be out by 6.00am. | Put containers out the evening before if you often miss early collections. |
| Where should bins go? | At the edge of your property where it meets the footpath or road. | Keep the container visible, accessible and not blocking the pavement. |
| Can I get reminders? | The council calendar offers collection reminders. | Sign up so October 2026 collection changes do not catch you out. |
| How do I stop bins getting lost? | Solihull suggests marking containers with your house number/name and bringing them in promptly. | Label every bin clearly, especially on shared or busy streets. |
October 2026 collection changes
Solihull’s refuse service changes from 5 October 2026. This is one of the most important details for searchers because old routines may stop working.
Rubbish changes
Most households move from weekly to fortnightly non-recyclable rubbish collections.
Food waste starts
Weekly food waste collections start from Monday 5 October 2026.
Recycling stays
Recycling and subscribed garden waste collections stay the same; only rubbish frequency changes.
Which Solihull container should you use?
Solihull uses different containers for recycling, rubbish, paid garden waste, small items and the new food waste service.
Brown bin / clear sacks
Clean recycling including paper, card, cartons, plastics, tins, aerosols, foil, glass bottles/jars and some plastic film.
Black bin / purple sacks
Non-recyclable household rubbish only. Do not use it for bulky items, garden waste, paint, liquids, batteries or business waste.
Green garden bin
Paid subscription garden waste bin. From 2026/27, the valid sticker must be displayed on the back under the handles.
Food caddies
7-litre indoor caddy and 23-litre lockable outdoor caddy for weekly food waste from 5 October 2026.
Missed bin decision tree
Solihull will return within two working days for genuine missed bins, but not if the bin failed basic rules.
Brown recycling bin or clear sacks
Solihull’s recycling list is broader than many residents expect. Keep it clean, loose and in the right container.
| Yes: recycle these | No: keep out | Practical Solihull rule |
|---|---|---|
| Newspapers, magazines, directories, junk mail, envelopes, greeting cards, cardboard food boxes, egg boxes, inner cardboard rolls and corrugated card. | Shredded paper, wet paper/card, greasy pizza boxes, glitter/foil cards, wallpaper and tissues/kitchen roll. | Flatten, fold or tear cardboard. Remove polystyrene and packaging. |
| Food/drink cartons, plastic bottles, food trays/tubs, yoghurt pots, aerosol cans, tins/cans, clean foil, glass bottles/jars and metal caps/lids. | Pyrex-style glass, drinking glasses, broken glass, light bulbs, vases, metal cutlery and paint tins. | Recycling should be loose so it falls out when emptied. |
| Crisp packets, sweet/biscuit wrappers, fruit/vegetable net bags, loose plastic bags, cling film, bubble wrap up to 1m sections, pouches and plastic sleeves. | Polystyrene, hard plastics such as CDs/DVDs/toys/sweet tubs, vapes, batteries, textiles and nappies. | Do not use carrier bags or black bin bags for extra recycling. |
| Plastic plant pots if clean, unstacked, not black, PP/PE/PET, and between 4cm x 4cm and 30cm x 30cm. | Black plant pots, very small plant pots and large plant pots. | Check pot size and plastic type before adding them. |
Black rubbish bin or purple sacks
This is for waste from your home that cannot be recycled. From October 2026, using recycling and food waste properly becomes more important because most rubbish collections move to fortnightly.
| Use black bin / purple sacks for | Do not put in | Better route |
|---|---|---|
| Household waste that cannot be recycled through Solihull’s other services. | Bulky items, garden waste, paint, liquids, soil, rubble, bricks, plasterboard, chipboard, wood, batteries, vapes, nitrous oxide canisters and commercial waste. | Use bulky waste, green garden bin if subscribed, Bickenhill HWRC, small items collection or business waste route. |
Weekly food waste collection from 5 October 2026
Solihull starts introducing weekly food waste collections from Monday 5 October 2026. Do not use the caddies before collections begin.
Indoor caddy
Each house or flat with its own bin receives a 7-litre indoor kitchen caddy.
Outdoor caddy
Households receive a 23-litre lockable outdoor caddy to deter pests and prevent spillages.
Put out weekly
Put the outdoor caddy out by 6.00am on your normal collection day.
| Yes: food waste | No: keep out | Useful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked/raw scraps, peelings, leftovers, bread, rice, pasta, cereals, biscuits, sweets, cakes, meat/fish with bones, dairy, coffee grounds, tea bags, spices, herbs, jams, peanut butter and wet/dry pet food. | Liquids, oil, fat, garden waste, packaging, plastic film, uncertified plant-based plastics, cat/dog litter and nappies. | You can line the caddy with any bag except a black bag. Solihull says you do not need to buy special liners. |
Garden waste subscription: fee, permit and rules
Solihull stopped providing a free garden waste collection service from 7 July 2025. To receive garden waste collections, you need a valid paid subscription.
| Garden waste point | Solihull detail | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2026/27 annual fee | £49. | Pay for the subscription before expecting collection. |
| Subscription period | 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. | No discount if you join part-way through the year. |
| Permit delivery | Allow 10 to 15 working days for the permit to arrive. | Subscribe early enough before your first intended collection. |
| Sticker position | On the back of the green garden bin, underneath the handles. | Make sure the sticker is clearly visible to crews. |
| Collection day | Same day as rubbish, opposite week to recycling. | Check calendar and email reminders to avoid missing the week. |
| Extra garden waste | Only garden waste contained in subscribed bins with the correct permit is collected. | Do not leave extra bags or loose garden waste beside the bin. |
| Wrong bin | Garden waste in brown recycling or black rubbish bins will not be emptied. | Remove it and present it correctly next time. |
Yes: green garden bin
- Lawn clippings.
- Small branches no thicker than 7.5cm / 3 inches.
- Prunings, spent flowers, leaves and weeds.
- Windfall fruit, cones and seeds from your garden.
No: green garden bin
- Compostable bags or packaging, including wool.
- Soil, turf, bricks, rubble and tree stumps.
- Food waste, animal poo, plastic bags or sacks.
- Plant pots, trays, baskets, pesticides, ash and animal bedding.
Bulky waste collection: booking, cost and failed-collection risks
Use Solihull’s bulky waste collection for large household items such as furniture or a fridge. It is chargeable and only the booked items are collected.
1 item
Single bulky item collection fee.
2–3 items
For two or three listed items.
4–5 items
For four or five listed items.
6 items
Maximum six items per visit.
| Bulky rule | Solihull detail | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Collection time | Items must be outside by 8.00am on the day of booking. | Place near the roadside, clearly visible and accessible. |
| Earliest presentation | Evening before collection. | Do not leave bulky items out days early. |
| Separate parts | Each separate piece counts as one item. | A corner sofa in two sections is two items; a bed base, mattress and headboard may be three items. |
| Black bags | Maximum five standard refuse sacks per bulky collection; double bagged; no 100L+ wheelie-bin liner bags. | Do not use bulky collection as a loose rubbish or hazardous waste service. |
| Size / weight | Items over 2m / 6ft 6in or over 50kg can be refused. | Use another route if an item cannot be safely lifted by two people. |
| Access | Gates unlocked, dogs inside, cars not obstructing access. | Crews do not collect from inside homes, garages, sheds, back gardens or gated alleyways. |
| Change / cancel | Call 0121 704 8000 by midday on the last working day before collection. | Late cancellation is not eligible for a refund. |
| Missed bulky collection | Report within two working days of the booked collection date. | Late reports may mean paying again. |
Free small items collection
Solihull also has a free bookable service for items that should not go in normal bins.
| Small item type | How to present | Maximum quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Batteries | In a tied sandwich-sized bag. | 1 bag. |
| Paint | Lid on, sealed, clean container. | 3 cans, maximum 10 litres each. |
| Small electrical items | Intact and small enough to fit inside a carrier bag. | 3 carrier-sized bags. |
| Textiles, clothing and shoes | Clean and dry; shoes in pairs; dustbin-bag-sized bag. | 2 bags. |
Bickenhill Household Waste Recycling Centre
Use Bickenhill HWRC for Solihull household waste that does not fit in bins/sacks or cannot be collected through kerbside services.
| Bickenhill rule | Official detail | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| Who can use it? | Solihull residents only; waste must come from a Solihull address. | Bring proof of residency such as a utility bill, paper or electronic. |
| Address | Bickenhill Household Waste and Recycling Centre, Coventry Road, Solihull, B92 0DY. | Save the address before loading the car. |
| Booking | You need to book an appointment and get a reference number. | Each appointment slot is 15 minutes. |
| Slots | New slots are released daily and on a rolling 3-week basis. | If no slots show, check again later. |
| Summer hours | 1 April to 31 October: Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri 9am–5pm, Tue 9am–6.30pm, weekends 9am–4.30pm. | Check opening times before travelling. |
| Winter hours | 1 November to 31 March: Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri 9am–4pm, Tue 9am–5.30pm, weekends 9am–4pm. | Do not assume summer hours in winter. |
| Permit vehicles | Permit may be needed for vans, pickups, campervans or large trailers. | Apply/check before visiting with a non-standard vehicle. |
| Hazardous household waste | Permit may be needed for hazardous household waste such as pesticides. | Do not arrive with hazardous waste without checking permit rules. |
Permitted examples
- Mobile phones, small appliances and vapes.
- Household, car and wheelchair batteries.
- Hardcore, rubble, soil, wood and timber.
- Scrap metal, used engine oil, cooking oil and paint.
- Garden waste, mixed recycling, mixed glass, textiles and clothes.
Not accepted
- Trade or commercial waste.
- Liquid waste.
- Asbestos through normal HWRC route.
- Tyres.
- Unsorted loads that slow the 15-minute slot.
Flats, extra waste and side rubbish
Flats, shared bins and homes using sacks need extra care because collection systems may differ from standard wheelie-bin homes.
| Situation | Best route | Do not do this |
|---|---|---|
| Flat with shared bins | Use the flats recycling guidance and property-management arrangements. | Do not dump bulky waste or black bags beside communal bins. |
| Extra cardboard | Flatten it and place beside the brown bin only if it would have fitted in the bin. | Do not leave oversized wet cardboard or polystyrene packaging. |
| Extra recycling | Use a suitable alternative container such as an old recycling box or hessian/jute bag. | Do not use carrier bags or black bin bags. |
| Extra rubbish | Use Bickenhill HWRC, bulky waste, retailer take-back or lawful waste carrier. | Do not put garden waste or bulky waste in the black bin. |
| Moving house or clearing furniture | Reuse/donate first, then bulky waste or licensed carrier if needed. | Do not leave furniture on the pavement or in communal bin areas without booking. |
Assisted collections
Assisted collection is for residents who cannot move rubbish or recycling containers to the normal collection point and need the crew to collect from an agreed place.
What it helps with
Rubbish and recycling collections when you cannot present containers yourself.
Agreed point
The council can collect from an agreed collection point rather than the kerbside.
Keep access clear
Even with assistance, gates, parked cars or unsafe access can still cause problems.
Solihull waste contact script
Use this when the online form is not enough or you need to ask about bulky changes, cancellations or unusual waste.
| Need | Useful route | Have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Bulky booking change or cancellation | 0121 704 8000 by midday on the last working day before collection. | Booking reference, item list, address and requested change. |
| Garden waste payment difficulty | Call 0121 704 8000 or visit a Solihull Connect walk-in centre. | Address, permit/order details and payment issue. |
| Replacement containers follow-up | Email collections@solihull.gov.uk if you have not heard from the council. | Full address, container type and request date. |
Simple call script
Hello, I’m calling about a Solihull waste collection issue at [full address and postcode]. The container/service is [brown recycling / black rubbish / green garden / food waste / bulky waste / Bickenhill booking]. The scheduled date was [date]. The issue is [missed / wrong item / heavy bin / booking change / replacement bin]. Can you confirm the correct next step?
Official Solihull Council links
Use these after reading the relevant section above. They are action links, not substitutes for checking the rule first.
What goes in containers
Use for brown recycling, clear sacks, black rubbish, purple sacks and garden bin rules.
Container guideRubbish collection changes
Use for October 2026 fortnightly rubbish details.
October changesFood waste collection
Use for caddies, liners, accepted food and 5 October 2026 start.
Food wasteFree small item collection
Use for batteries, paint, small electricals, clothing and shoes.
Small itemsSolihull Council Refuse Collection FAQs
How do I check my Solihull bin collection day?
Use Solihull Council’s official online bin collection calendar. Enter your address to check the next collection dates for rubbish, recycling and garden waste if subscribed.
What time should I put my Solihull bins out?
All waste and recycling containers must be out by 6.00am on collection day at the edge of your property where it meets the footpath or road.
When can I report a missed bin in Solihull?
Wait until 4.00pm on your collection day before reporting. You can report a missed bin within two working days of your collection day.
Why will Solihull Council not return for my bin?
The council will not return if the bin was not out on time, was left in the wrong place, contained materials it does not collect, or was too heavy.
What goes in Solihull’s brown recycling bin?
The brown recycling bin or clear sacks are for clean recycling including paper, cardboard, cartons, plastics, tins, cans, aerosols, clean foil, glass bottles and jars, metal caps and some plastic film or wrappers.
What goes in Solihull’s black rubbish bin?
The black bin or purple sacks are for household waste that cannot be recycled. Do not use them for bulky items, garden waste, paint, liquids, rubble, batteries, vapes or business waste.
How much is Solihull garden waste collection?
Solihull’s 2026/27 garden waste subscription fee is £49. The subscription period runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and there is no discount for joining part-way through the year.
When does food waste collection start in Solihull?
Solihull starts introducing weekly food waste collections from Monday 5 October 2026. Households with their own bin receive a 7-litre indoor caddy and 23-litre lockable outdoor caddy.
How much is Solihull bulky waste collection?
Solihull bulky waste collection costs £42 for a single item, £47 for 2 to 3 items, £57.50 for 4 to 5 items and £63 for 6 items. The service will not collect more than 6 items per visit.
Do I need to book Bickenhill tip?
Yes. Solihull residents need to book an appointment for Bickenhill Household Waste Recycling Centre and bring proof of residency. Each appointment slot is 15 minutes.
Final practical advice
The safest Solihull bin routine is simple: check your official calendar, put the right container out by 6.00am, keep recycling clean and loose, avoid black-bin contamination, and report a genuine missed bin only after 4.00pm within the two-working-day window.
From October 2026, food waste and recycling become even more important because most rubbish collections move to a fortnightly cycle. Use Bickenhill, bulky waste, small-items collection, garden subscription or retailer take-back for waste that does not belong in normal bins.