We’re here to help you find the Tower Hamlets rubbish collection schedule for 2024 including bulk pickup, recycling, holidays, and maps.
The borough of Tower Hamlets is in Greater London with Newham to the east, Greenwich to the southeast, Lewisham to the south, and Hackney to the northwest.
If there’s a change to your normal rubbish collection schedule then there’s a good chance your street sweeping schedule has changed too so make sure to check for updates.
Tower Hamlets Rubbish Collection Calendar 2024
For normal rubbish collections schedules, visit https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/environment_and_waste/recycling_and_waste/Rubbish-and-Recycling-Collections.aspx
Rubbish Collection Holidays
Here you can see the observed bank holidays.
- New Year’s Day (January 1st)
- Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)
- Easter Monday (Monday following Easter Sunday)
- Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May)
- Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May)
- Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August)
- Christmas Day (December 25th)
- Boxing Day (December 26th)
We will collect your rubbish and recycling on the same day each week, except for Christmas, New Year, and Bank Holidays, when it is generally collected a day later. Any changes are advertised on this page.
Tower Hamlets Rubbish Collection Map
Bulk Waste Pickup Calendar 2024
The council offers 2 free collections per year for household waste from your own property only. You must be living in the property at the time of booking and collection. Up to 5 items can be taken away per collection.
More information on how to book a bulky waste collection can be found here.
Acceptable Items for Bulk Pickup
All items must be able to be safely handled by two people and should be less than two metres in length. Please also wrap glass items for safe transportation.
- appliances such as fridge, freezer, fridge-freezer, microwave, washing machine/dryer, dishwasher, cooker
- bike
- carpet, floor covering & rugs – rolled & tied
- furniture such as wardrobes, sofas, tables, shelves, desks, cabinet or cupboards, beds (base/frame and headboard is considered 1 item)
- internal doors
- mattresses
- mirrors
- small electrical appliances such as TV, vacuum cleaner, computers, lamps, kettles
- water tanks (plastic)
- up to 5 black bags (these cannot contain builder’s rubble/waste or any of the following items in the what we will not collect list)
Unacceptable Items for Bulk Pickup
We will not collect any waste from landlords (as well as managing agents and housing organisations), tradesmen or businesses.
- American-style fridge (containing double doors that open from the middle outwards)
- any glass
- asbestos – the City of London can arrange an asbestos collection
- builders’ rubble or waste including plaster boards, tiles, wooden pallets
- car parts and batteries
- bathtubs or showers
- chemicals, paint, oils, and gas bottles or canisters
- decking
- external doors, windows and garage doors
- fence panels
- fire surrounds
- fluorescent tubes
- metal water tank
- pianos
- safes
- sheds
- sinks
- snooker tables – full size
- soil and trees
- storage heaters
- toilets
- wheelchairs
Have bulky items the city won’t pick up? You need a junk removal service.
If you have large items that the city won’t take from you, you may need to hire a junk removal service.
Junk removal services are not be as picky about the items they’re collecting so if the city won’t take the item, this may be your best bet. There’s usually a fee involved with junk removal but most companies can tell you ahead of time approximately what it’s going to cost.
There are a number of junk removal services in Tower Hamlets and I’m sure many of them will be able to help you out.
Recycling Collection Calendar 2024
Here’s the link to the recycling collection calendar: https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/environment_and_waste/recycling_and_waste/Rubbish-and-Recycling-Collections.aspx
Frequently Asked Questions
When is bulk pickup in Tower Hamlets?
The council offers 2 free collections per year for household waste from your own property only. You must be living in the property at the time of booking and collection. Up to 5 items can be taken away per collection.
More information on how to book a bulky waste collection can be found here.
What day is rubbish collection?
To find rubbish collection on your street visit: https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/environment_and_waste/recycling_and_waste/Rubbish-and-Recycling-Collections.aspx
What time does rubbish collection start?
Rubbish collection starts at 7 a.m. Make sure to have your bins on the curb by then.
We do not provide containers for residents for their rubbish so you will need to buy black sacks. You may also want to buy a small bin to store your rubbish in.
How can I contact the Tower Hamlets Borough?
Tower Hamlets Council
Town Hall
160 Whitechapel Road
London
E1 1BJ
Council Hotline and Switchboard
020 7364 5000
Did we miss anything?
Hope you were able to find everything you need for the Tower Hamlets rubbish pickup schedule. We strive to provide the most up to date information so please let us know if you need anything else.
