Disposing of your household waste correctly
For normal household waste:
- If you live in a house or house that has been converted into flats, use your fortnightly black wheelie bin for your household rubbish.
- If you find that you have too much waste to fit in your bin, please ensure that you are recycling as much of your waste as possible to keep your residual waste to a minimum. For more information on the council's recycling services and what to recycle, please see here.
- Whilst we consider that with greater recycling, rubbish content can be minimised, we do understand that in certain circumstances for example in larger households you may require a larger bin. Don’t be tempted to fly tip your waste as you may be entitled to receive a larger 240L black wheelie bin.
- If you live in a flat, please use your communal waste bins. See here for further details.
- If you live in a private block or street, please encourage your managing agents to provide a range of facilities to help you recycle and manage your waste better. Alternatively, please email recycling@hounslow.gov.uk
- If you live in a flat above a shop, please place your rubbish in the purple sacks we provide. Purple bags are delivered quarterly. Please do not use any other bag and always place your waste in the designated area you have been advised to use. This will be treated as fly-tipping and you may be prosecuted. Please see here for further details.
- Click here to find out more about your local bin collections and what you can put in your bins and be more:
- Please note Hounslow Council like most areas do not recycle batteries. However, you can take batteries to Space Waye or a collection point at a supermarket, a DIY centre or a local shop.
There are three further ways you are able to dispose of your unwanted items legally:
1.Visit Space Waye or your nearest household waste recycling centres:
Find out when your nearest recycling centre is open, what you can take there and how to get a permit to bring a van or trailer.
2.Use Hounslow’s relaunched bulky waste collection service:
Hounslow Council has recently relaunched its bulky items collection service to make it easier for you to use the service – if you have larger to remove from your household. To find out all about it and to book a collection, please see here. (Please note if you live on a Housing Estate there may be alternative arrangements in place for you to dispose of your items.)
3.Sell or donate your unwanted items:
Use social media groups or websites like eBay, Gumtree, Freecycle, Freegle or Facebook Marketplace. You’d be amazed at how one person’s trash can be another’s treasure! Only donate items to charity shops when they're open. Leaving donations outside charity shops which are not open is fly tipping!
If you have any DIY waste, you can hire a skip, use licensed waste carrier services such as LoveJunk or take the waste to your local HRRC (Household Reuse & Recycling Centre). DIY waste is not free to dispose of so you will be charged for this. For more information about your responsibilities for disposing of your waste properly visit our webpage.
4.Use a registered waste carrier to collect your rubbish:
Everyone has a legal 'duty of care' to ensure your household or business waste is disposed of correctly. If it's your waste, it's YOUR responsibility.
- Suspect all waste carriers. Don't let them take your rubbish until they provide proof of registration. Note their vehicle's registration plate.
- Check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency's website.
- Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away.
- Ask how your rubbish will be disposed of - seek evidence of this.
- Paperwork must be obtained: a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt, including a description of the waste being removed and the waste carrier’s contact details.
