The service information presented for the London Borough of Croydon was last updated in July 2008. Information was verified by borough contacts. The authors of this website are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Data relating to targets and performance is taken from Defra's Environment statistics.

Dry Recycling

Croydon council provides a fortnightly kerbside collection of recyclable materials for all low rise properties and flats with up to four door-bells (110,000 properties).   Residents are provided with two 55 litre boxes made from recycled plastic.  Recyclable materials collected through the main scheme are sorted by hand at the kerbside and put into a trough on the side of the purpose-built vehicle. When the trough is full, it is raised and the materials are tipped into the correct compartment of the vehicle. The following materials are collected:

• aerosols (green box)
• cardboard (blue box)
• glass bottles and jars (green box)
• mixed cans (gree box)
• paper (blue box)
• plastic bottles (green box)
• textiles (blue box)
• shoes (blue box)
• yellow pages (blue box)

Organic

Green garden waste is collected from 110,000 households on a fortnightly basis between mid 31st March and 21st November. Residents who live in these areas will receive two free reusable clear plastic sacks to put out green garden waste for collection.

2,500 households also receive a separate collection of food waste (including meat).  Residents are provided with a kitchen caddy to collect the waste in and kitchen waste is collected on a weekly basis.

Dry Recycling

Recycling bring sites are located at 450 sites on estates across Croydon (the scheme is currently being expanded).  Recycling bins are located in or near to the existing bin store.  The larger estates in the borough are provided with euro bins and smaller blocks of flats with wheeled bins.  Residents separate materials themselves into different bins within the bring site.  The following materials are accepted:

• aerosols
• cardboard
• glass bottles and jars
• mixed cans
• paper
• yellow pages

Material is collected using a top loader vehicle.

Household Reuse and Recycling Centre

There are three Reuse and Recycling Centres (RRC) in Croydon:

Home Composting

Croydon encourages home composting and has distributed over 11,000 compost bins to residents since its scheme began in September 2003.  A variety of different compost bins are available at a subsidised rate of 220 litre bins at £17, 300 litre bins at £20 and 250 litre Komp bins at £40. For information on how to receive a bin call 0845 077 0757 quoting reference number HCA1.

Green cones, which digest food waste, are also available for the reduced price of £49.95 (including delivery). For more information call: 0800 731 2572.

Nappy Waste

Croydon council is working with the Croydon Real Nappy Network to promote and subsidise the use of reusable nappies.

Junk Mail

Croydon supports the Mailing Preference Service (MPS), a service that householders can register with to reduce the amount of junk mail they receive. For more information or to register with the Mailing Preference Service please call 0845 070 0707 or visit www.mpsonline.org.uk.  The council also provides residents with 'no junk mail' stickers.

Waste Exchange

"The Great Giveaway" is a website that has been set up for the people of Croydon to swap, give or take items that would otherwise be thrown away. No money can change hands, but items can be exchanged for other items or a service.  The Great Giveaway also accepts resident unwanted useful items. Visit: www.croydononline.org/giveaway.

The council helps residents to organise community "Give or Take" days. Residents are encouraged to have a clear out of items they do not want, which can be swapped or given away to other residents at the event. A local charity takes any residual items for sale at a nearby charity shop at the end of the day.

Waste Aware Shopping

The Environment and Sustainability Team have also promoted waste reduction through road shows in the Whitgift Centre and at local supermarkets.  Over 500 reusable shopping bags have been distributed at road shows across the borough.

Bulky Waste

Fridges and freezers are collected from residents for a charge of £15 in order to remove polluting CFCs. Furniture will be collected under the bulky items collection service, which is free for a collection of up to seven  items once a year.

The Croydon Appliance Reuse Centre (ARC) supplies refurbished washing machines, electric cookers, fridges and freezers along with household and office furniture. Items are refurbished and sold at a reasonable price to less well of residents. The ARC offers a free collection service for re-useable items. To arrange a collection call: 020 8662 8002

Residents on a low income who live locally can book an appointment by calling:  020 8681 6721. All ARC electrical appliances carry a 6 month warranty.

The project is a partnership with London CRN, Croydon MIND, the Vine Project, and Croydon Council.

Schools Recycling

Croydon council provides free ‘Energy, Water and Recycling’ assemblies for schools to raise awareness on the issue.  Schools can also apply for recycling facilities on site in order to become community recycling centres.

Residual Waste

Residual household waste is collected weekly from the kerbside.  Residents are provided with a wheeled bin varying in size to suit the number of residents at each property.

Commercial Recycling

Croydon council offers a commercial recycling service to 2,200 businesses.  Businesses collect recyclable material in 240, 360, 660, 1100 or 1280 litre bins. Recyclable material is collected on request and co-mingled with domestic waste using a normal dust cart.

Materials which can be collected are as follows:

• books
• cardboard
• glass bottles and jars
• paper
• yellow pages

Croydon council works in partnership with ENVIBE.  ENVIBE is a partnership of predominantly government funded organisations providing free environmental support to businesses. A wide range of environmental topics (such as recycling and waste reduction, energy, water saving and green travel) are covered, and a bronze, silver and gold award scheme recognises achievements. For more details contact Anna Eltringham, Environment Project Officer: 020 8686 4433.

Find out more about recycling in your area Visit Recycle for London
Compare Croydon's recycling services with the rest of London	View the London Matrix
Find out more about the London Borough of Croydon

Contact Croydon Address:  Waste Management Division Environmental, Culture and Public Protection Department Building four Stubbs Mead Depot Factory Lane West Croydon CR0 3RL   Tel: 020 8726 6200    Email: contact.thecouncil@croydon.gov.uk