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Recycling and rubbish container guide

Which containers to use for your recycling and rubbish.

Wheelie bins

We don’t provide or sell wheelie bins for households.

If you buy a wheelie bin privately, you must:

  • have a storage area of hard-standing for the bin(s) in the front garden of your property near to the boundary with the pavement. The bin cannot be stored on the public highway 
  • have a storage area at ground level. Wheelie bins will not be collected from basements or moved up or down steps 
  • have clear access for our collection vehicle with a drop-kerb nearby 
  • only buy a bin with either a 240 litre or 360 litre capacity in order for us to collect it 

  • only buy a bin that complies with British Standard BS EN 840: 1997

  • put your property address on the bin  

  • have a green bin if it is for recycling and grey/black bin for rubbish

    to make it is clear which is which.

If you’d like a sticker saying “Recycling only” for your recycling bin, please email recycling@islington.gov.uk with your postal address. 

The normal dimensions of wheelie bins are:

Capacity (litres) 240 litres 360 litres
Width 575mm 625mm
Length 730mm 890mm
Height 1060mm 1120mm

Please note: wheelie bins dimensions can vary according to the manufacturer and the dimensions above are a guide only.

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