Southwark is home to some famous tourist attractions such as the Tate Modern, The Shard and Shakespeare’s Globe theatre. It has an abundance of restaurants and cafes and boasts 29 ‘Outstanding rated’ primary and secondary schools. All of these contribute to Southwark being one of the most sought-after boroughs to live in in the South of England.
Southwark Council is highly dedicated to making it a pleasant and enjoyable environment for residents and visitors alike, and at the heart of this objective is responsible waste disposal and recycling. With this article we give you a guide to Southwark’s waste management structure.
Recycling your household items in Southwark
Southwark’s dedicated recycling centre allows its residents to dispose of their unwanted household and garden items. You can access the recycling centre from 8:30am until 4:30pm every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. You can find it on Devon Street, SE15 1AL.
Please note that you will be required to demonstrate evidence of being a Southwark resident to use the facilities. These can include:
- Photo-card driving licence
- Current Council Tax bill
- Recent utility bill
- Recent bank statement
You can visit the recycling centre in a car, on bike or on foot. If using a van, you will require a permit, for which you can find out more information here.
Blue bins – recyclable waste
For those living in a house or flat on street level, you will likely be provided with a blue bin for your recyclable waste. You do not need to separate the materials, they can be mixed (i.e. paper, glass and plastic).
If you live in a flat or house that is not on street level, you will be provided with recycling bags and required to use Southwark Council doorstep collection service.
Residents who live above a shop will be given recycling bags that should be left by a public litter bin by the shops by 6am on the collection day. For those who live in flats or apartment blocks, communal recycling bins are provided wherever possible.
To find out your local Southwark collection day please visit the Southwark Council website.
General household waste collection in Southwark
To reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill, Southwark Council pass all general household waste though their integrated waste management facility, and into a mechanical biological treatment facility to sort and treat the waste.
Food waste collection
Food waste is collected free of charge for street level properties in Southwark who have space to store their own food recycling bins. You can dispose of the following foods in your designated bin:
- Meat fish and bones (cooked or raw)
- Fruit and vegetables
- Bread, rice and pasta
- Eggs and dairy products
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
What do I do with my bulky waste?
Bulky waste collections can be booked for a charge of £25 for up to 10 items, paid in advance during the booking process.
Click here for a full list of items that can be collected.
What do I do with my garden waste?
Garden waste collection is a subscription service in Southwark. For an annual fee of £40 (subject to change) you will be provided with a 240 litre brown wheelie bin for you to dispose of any compostable, organic garden waste such as leaves, grass cuttings, plants and small branches.
Food waste, soil, fencing and rubble is not suitable for garden waste collection and alternative clearance methods must be arranged.
You can of course compost your own waste at home, or for those who are not as green fingered, you can choose to take your garden waste to the recycling centre, or arrange an independent collection; a service that Junk Taxi can help with.
If you wish to talk with our team about helping you dispose of any unwanted items or rubbish, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 020 3092 2961 or email info@junktaxi.co.uk.
