Recycling

There are many reasons to recycle - it stops our refuse going to landfill, saves energy and resources and doesn't cost us anything. Read more about how and what to recycle, and do your bit to help to save the planet.

How to recycle

We aim to make recycling as easy and as convenient as possible for all residents. There are two schemes in place for the collection of recyclable materials: 

  • Orange bag recycling for residents living in street level properties
  • Mixed bank recycling for residents living in mansion blocks, flats and estates

If you are unsure which recycling service you receive please call Streetline on 020 7361 3001.

All recycling schemes accept the following materials for recycling:

  • paper (not shredded), newspapers, magazines, junk mail, telephone directories, envelopes
  • cardboard
  • glass bottles and jars (no lids)
  • tins and cans (please rinse)
  • plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays
  • food and drink cartons (please rinse and flatten)

Please include only the materials above for recycling. Placing other items in your recycling bag or bank will contaminate the recycling and it will be sent for incineration.

Read more about What not to recycle.

Garden waste collection

Garden waste is collected every fortnight, all year round. All garden waste collected by the Council is sent for composting. If you would like to have your garden waste collected you must register for the service by telephoning Streetline on 020 7361 3001. Kensington and Chelsea does not operate a collection for food waste or provide subsidized composters or wormeries, although the Recycling Team can provide help and advice to any resident on these matters. See the Garden waste page for further information.

Mini-recycling centres

There are 26 mini-recycling centres located around the borough, each having up to five mixed recycling banks on site.  You can recycle the same items as listed above.  In addition, most mini-recycling centres offer separate facilities to recycle textiles, shoes, books and toner cartridges.  See the mini-recycling centres page.

Recycling at school

The Royal Borough aims to have recycling available to all schools in the borough. We offer a comprehensive range of services to schools to encourage recycling. To find out more about please telephone Streetline on 020 7361 3001 and ask to speak to the Schools Recycling Adviser.

Recycling and refuse amenity sites (public tips)

Kensington and Chelsea has no Recycling and Refuse site. Royal Borough residents can take their unwanted household items, free of charge, to the following Recycling and Refuse Amenity Sites situated in Wandsworth and Battersea:

  • Western Riverside Reuse and Recycling Centre
    Smugglers Way, Wandsworth, SW18 1JS
    Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm; Saturday 8am to 6pm; Sunday 8am to 5pm
    tel: 020 8871 2788
  • Cringle Dock
    Cringle Street, Battersea, SW8 5BX
    24 hours a day, seven days a week

Textile Recycling

We are running a trial project with Traid in parts of the borough. Read more...

More useful information