Kerbside Recycling and Garden Waste Collections

In Bedfordshire, the collection authorities provide kerbside collections for recycling (paper, plastic bottles, tins, cans and cardboard) and green garden waste (such as grass cuttings, flowers and leaves). Containers for these two collections are available from your local District/ Borough council.

In Bedfordshire we are currently producing over 200,000 tonnes of household waste every year. This is expected to keep on rising due to both our increased preference for highly packaged, throwaway items and the additional waste generated by people moving into the area.

" Recycle Now" is a partnership campaign between Bedfordshire County Council, Bedford Borough Council, Mid Bedfordshire District Council and South Bedfordshire District Council which aims to increase the level of recycling and composting in Bedfordshire.

Recycling is the process of taking waste material and reprocessing it to make new products. As a Bedfordshire resident you have a variety of services available to help you to recycle your household waste.

If you live in Bedford Borough

• Your recycling is collected on alternate weeks in orange bags. If you haven't already, you can order an orange lidded bin to replace the bags by calling Bedford Borough Council on 0800 121 8888.
• Your garden waste is collected alternate weeks in white biodegradable bags or green lidded bins, (on weeks in between your recyclables – there is a calendar of collection dates for future reference).
• The rest of your waste (residual waste) is collected weekly in your black wheelie bin.

For more information on recycling in your area, to request orange or white bags or to request an orange lidded wheelie bin please phone Bedford Borough Council| (new window) free phone on 0800 1218888.

If you live in Mid Bedfordshire

• Your recycling is collected on alternate weeks in orange bags or green lidded bins. You need to register to receive a bin, bags are delivered automatically every few months.
• Your garden waste is collected alternate weeks (same weeks as recycling) in 2 reusable polypropylene bags
• The rest of your waste (residual waste) is collected alternate weeks (weeks in between your recycling/ garden collections)

For more information on recycling in your area, to request further orange or green bags or register to receive a green lidded bin please call Mid Bedfordshire District Council| (new window) on 08452 304040.

If you live in South Bedfordshire

• Your recycling is collected on alternate weeks in orange lidded bins
• Your garden waste is collected on alternate weeks in green bins (on the same day as the orange bin) 
• The rest of your waste (residual waste) is collected on alternate weeks (on weeks in between orange/ garden collections)

For more information on recycling in your area or to request a smaller orange or green bin please call South Bedfordshire District Council| (new window) on (01582) 472222

To find out which district/ borough you live in, there is a look up table in the related document below.

What can go in your Kerbside ‘Dry’ Collection

• Paper – newspapers, magazines, junk mail, envelopes, scrap paper, directories including yellow pages, catalogues and brochures.
• Plastic bottles – any bottle shaped plastic rinsed, squashed and lids put on
• Cardboard – Boxes for cereal, tissues, tea bags, ready meal boxes, egg boxes, greeting cards, corrugated card (torn into cereal box size pieces)
• Tins and Cans – Any food tins or drinks cans rinsed, lids put inside and squashed if possible

See the Recycling FAQs| for further details.

What can go in your Kerbside Green Collection

• Grass cuttings
• Plants and Weeds
• Flowers
• Prunings
• Hedge Clippings
• Leaves and Bark
• Vase Plants
• Pond Plants

See the Recycling FAQs| for further details.