Tonbridge & Malling Bin Day Help Without Guesswork
Use this guide to check your bin day, put the right container out, report a missed collection, sort recycling correctly and avoid rejected bins.
Everything is arranged by user problem: black bin, green-lidded bin, green box, orange food bin, brown garden bin, bulky waste, new bins and service updates.
Quick answer: Tonbridge and Malling most homes use a black bin for non-recyclable household waste, a green-lidded bin for plastics/glass/cans, a green box for paper/cardboard, and an orange-lidded food bin for weekly food waste.
Most important rule: bins and boxes must be out by 7am on collection day at the property boundary nearest where the collection vehicle passes, then returned inside the boundary after collection.
Choose your Tonbridge & Malling bin problem
Tap one option. This shows the best first action before you open a form.
Bin day and 7am presentation rules
Most Tonbridge and Malling collection problems can be avoided by getting the location, time and container right.
| Question | Exact answer | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| How do I check my collection day? | Use the official “What are my next waste collection dates?” form. | Enter your address, then note the container type due next. |
| What time must bins be out? | By 7am on collection day. | Put them out the evening before if your road is collected early. |
| Where should bins go? | At the property boundary nearest where the collection vehicle passes. | Do not hide containers behind walls, gates, cars or in side paths unless agreed. |
| What after collection? | Return containers within your property boundary. | Bring bins back in to avoid blocked footpaths and neighbour complaints. |
| Hot weather update? | TMBC may start collections earlier, such as 5am during hot weather. | Check the collection updates page and put bins out the night before if early starts apply. |
Which Tonbridge and Malling bin or box should I use?
The council separates recycling more than some areas: plastics/glass/cans go in the green-lidded bin, but paper and cardboard go in the green box.
| Container | Main use | Common mistake | Best quick rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bin | Non-recyclable household waste. | Putting soil, rubble, hot ashes, garden waste or paint/liquid tins in it. | Only waste that fits inside the black bin is collected. |
| Green-lidded bin | Plastics, glass bottles/jars, cans, aerosols, foil and cartons. | Putting plastic bags, black plastic trays, crisp packets, polystyrene or paper/cardboard in it. | Rinse items and place them loose. Do not use liners or bags. |
| Green box | Paper, cardboard, envelopes, magazines, junk mail and shredded paper. | Putting glass, clothes, plastic, tissue paper or household rubbish in it. | Keep paper/card separate because it goes to local paper mills. |
| Orange-lidded food bin | Weekly cooked and uncooked food waste. | Using plastic bags or putting in pet waste, packaging, liquids or oils. | Use compostable liners, paper bags or newspaper only. |
| Brown bin | Paid garden waste service. | Putting food, cardboard, soil, rubble, pet waste, plastic bags or plant pots in it. | Use for accepted garden waste only after subscription. |
Missed bin collection: check this before reporting
Report only when your neighbours’ bins or boxes were emptied and yours was missed. The online form is the fastest route because it goes straight to the contractor.
Green-lidded recycling bin: plastics, glass and cans
This bin is not for paper/cardboard. It is for mixed recycling such as plastic bottles, glass and cans.
Yes: put these in
- Cartons such as Tetra Pak.
- Clean aluminium foil and food trays.
- Drink cans, food tins and empty aerosols.
- Glass bottles and jars, any colour.
- Plastic bottles, pots, tubs, food trays and fruit punnets.
No: keep these out
- Black plastic food trays or flower pots.
- Plastic bags, plastic film and liners.
- Crisp packets, sweet wrappers and chocolate wrappers.
- Polystyrene, coffee capsules, ceramics, mirrors and Pyrex.
- Low-energy bulbs and fluorescent tubes.
Green box: paper and cardboard
Tonbridge and Malling keeps paper/cardboard separate because it goes to local paper mills to be made into new paper and board products.
| Use green box for | Do not use for | Extra cardboard rule |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard boxes, packaging, sleeves, junk mail, paper, magazines, phone directories, envelopes and shredded paper. | Clothes, textiles, glass, household rubbish, plastic or tissue paper. | If occasional, fold a reasonable amount flat next to the green box — about the equivalent of another green box. |
| Shredded paper should be put under other paper, in a paper bag or cardboard box so it does not blow away. | Wet messy cardboard, plastic packaging or food-contaminated packaging. | If regular, order up to two more green boxes instead of overloading the box every week. |
Food waste: grey caddy and orange-lidded outdoor bin
Food waste is collected separately every week. Use the small grey 5 litre kitchen caddy indoors, then transfer food waste to the outdoor 23 litre black/orange lockable food bin.
Yes: food waste accepted
- Meat, fish, bones and skin.
- Dairy products such as cheese.
- Vegetables and fruit, raw or cooked.
- Bread, cakes, pastries, rice, pasta, beans and pulses.
- Tea bags, coffee grounds, egg shells and plate scrapings.
No: keep these out
- Plastic bags and packaging.
- Pet faeces and pet bedding.
- Liquids and oils.
- Any non-food items.
- General rubbish from plates or packaging.
Black bin: non-recyclable household waste only
The black bin is not a catch-all for everything. TMBC only collects waste that fits in the black bin.
| Black bin is for | Do not put in black bin | Better route |
|---|---|---|
| Non-recyclable household waste that fits inside the bin. | Soil, rubble, hot ashes, garden waste, paint tins with paint or liquid. | Use KCC household waste recycling centres or the correct specialist route. |
| Items that cannot go in green-lidded recycling, green box, food waste or brown garden waste. | Electricals, hazardous waste, heavy DIY waste or items too large for the bin. | Use HWRC, bulky collection or licensed disposal. |
Brown garden waste service: cost, bins and rules
Garden waste is a paid residential service. It is not for commercial gardening services, communal gardens run by management companies or mixed household waste.
| Garden waste point | Official detail | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | £66 per year. | Subscription starts from the date you order. |
| Container | Usually a 240L brown bin; some locations may get 3 x 90L hessian sacks. | Check your delivery/collection arrangement after ordering. |
| Collection frequency | Every two weeks for 12 months. | Check your garden waste collection day online. |
| Extra bins | Additional garden waste bins cost £42 each, up to a maximum of three bins per property. | Useful for larger gardens, but do not overload bins. |
| Delivery | Usually within 10 days of ordering. | Collection day should be visible online within 24 hours of ordering, if not sooner. |
| Presentation | Brown bin/sacks must be at the boundary by 7am. | No refunds if not presented in time. |
Brown bin yes
- Grass cuttings.
- Leaves.
- Flowers and plant clippings.
- Hedge clippings, prunings and branches up to 3cm diameter.
- Small amount of windfall fruit such as apples and plums.
Brown bin no
- Food waste or cardboard.
- Pet bedding or pet poo.
- Stone, soil, rubble or builders waste.
- Plastic bags, flower pots, trays or plastic/bio-plastic items.
- Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed, ragwort and Himalayan balsam need specialist disposal.
Bulky waste collection: prices and what they will not collect
TMBC can collect up to six bulky items, including fridges/freezers, from outside your property. Items must be out by 7am on collection day.
Standard fee
£75 from 1 April 2026 for bulky waste collection.
Fridge/freezer only
£46 for fridge/freezer-only collection.
Subsidised fee
£15.50 for eligible Council Tax Reduction residents, once every six months.
| Bulky rule | Detail | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Item limit | Up to six bulky items. | List items before booking. |
| Payment | Credit or debit card only. | Have card ready before booking. |
| Put-out time | Outside property by 7am on collection day. | Do not leave items inside homes, sheds or inaccessible areas. |
| Cancellation | Cancel by 4pm the day before collection date. | Act early if plans change. |
| Not collected | Aga ovens, builders’ waste, rubble, concrete, engines/oil, large water tanks, liquids, oil tanks, pianos, skips, toxic materials and tyres. | Use HWRC or specialist disposal route. |
New bins, repairs and larger black bins
Use the new bins/repairs form for missing containers, damaged containers, bin-size changes, green box orders and new-build/no-bin properties.
| Need | TMBC rule | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| Missing or damaged bin | Use the replacement/repair form. | Leave damaged bin visible until repair takes place. |
| Lid detached but intact | Report “repair/replace damaged bin”. | Keep using the bin if safe. |
| Lid missing or beyond repair | Report “request replacement lid”. | Choose the correct option to avoid delay. |
| New build / property without bins | Use the new build / no-bin form. | Request the full container set needed for the property. |
| Larger black bin | Only in specific circumstances: six or more residents, or homes with a number of young children in nappies. | Apply only if you meet the criteria. |
Pull-out service if you cannot move your bin
If you cannot put bins at the property boundary because of infirmity or disability, TMBC can provide a pull-out service.
Who it helps
Residents who cannot present bins because of infirmity or disability.
How it works
TMBC agrees a suitable location on your property where bins are collected from and returned.
How to ask
Contact the Waste Services team for advice and to arrange the service.
Hot weather, service updates and My TMBC app
Collection times can change during hot weather or service disruption. Check the update page before assuming a collection was missed.
| Situation | What TMBC may say | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Hot weather | Collections may start earlier, such as 5am. | Put bins out the night before, or by the latest earlier time shown. |
| Whole street not collected | Could be a route delay, disruption or contractor update. | Check collection updates before reporting as an individual missed bin. |
| You want alerts | TMBC suggests downloading the My TMBC app for updates. | Use the app if you want notification-style updates. |
Contact script and official Tonbridge & Malling links
Use the correct contact route and include the details the Waste Services team needs.
| Need | Best route | Have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Collection date | Official waste collection dates form. | Full address and postcode. |
| Missed bin | Online missed-bin form / MyAccount. | Address, container type, collection date, whether neighbours were collected. |
| Waste advice, bins, bulky, garden waste | Waste Services: 01732 876147 or waste.services@tmbc.gov.uk. | Address, issue type and container involved. |
Simple call/email script
Hello, I’m contacting you about waste collection at [full address and postcode]. The container is [black bin / green-lidded bin / green box / food bin / brown bin]. It was due on [date]. It was out by [7am or earlier update time] at [boundary location]. My neighbours’ containers [were / were not] collected. Can you confirm the correct next step?
Tonbridge and Malling Refuse Collection FAQs
How do I check my Tonbridge and Malling bin day?
Use Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s official waste collection dates form and enter your address. Check the container type as well as the date.
What time should my bins be out in Tonbridge and Malling?
Bins and boxes should be out by 7am on collection day at the property boundary nearest where the collection vehicle passes.
Why might collections start earlier than 7am?
During hot weather or service updates, TMBC may ask residents to put bins out the night before or by an earlier time such as 5am. Check the waste collection updates page.
How do I report a missed bin in Tonbridge and Malling?
If your neighbours’ bins or boxes were emptied and yours was missed, use the official missed-bin form. Do not report by email because the form goes straight to the contractor.
What goes in the black bin?
The black bin is for non-recyclable household waste that fits inside the bin. Do not use it for soil, rubble, hot ashes, garden waste or tins with paint or liquid.
What goes in the green-lidded bin?
The green-lidded bin is for mixed recycling such as cartons, foil, cans, empty aerosols, food tins, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, plastic pots and tubs. Items should be rinsed and placed loose, not bagged.
What goes in the green box?
The green box is for paper and cardboard such as cardboard boxes, packaging, junk mail, magazines, directories, shredded paper and envelopes.
How does food waste collection work?
Food waste is collected weekly. Use the small grey 5 litre kitchen caddy indoors and transfer food waste to the outdoor 23 litre black and orange lockable food bin for collection.
How much is garden waste collection in Tonbridge and Malling?
The garden waste service costs £66 per year. Extra garden waste bins cost £42 each, up to a maximum of three bins per property.
How much is bulky waste collection?
From 1 April 2026, the standard bulky waste fee is £75. A fridge/freezer-only collection is £46, and an eligible subsidised bulky waste fee is £15.50.
Final practical advice
For Tonbridge and Malling refuse collection, the safest routine is simple: check your exact address, put the correct container out by 7am, separate paper/card from plastics/glass/cans, use the weekly food bin, and check updates before reporting a missed collection.
If the problem is not a normal bin-day issue, choose the correct route: missed-bin form, new-bin/repair form, brown garden waste subscription, bulky waste booking, pull-out service or Kent recycling centre.