Recycling collections

Our council is committed to recycling as much of our borough's waste as possible and we provide free recycling collections for residents. We encourage everyone to recycle more of the right things and help make Hillingdon a green and sustainable borough.

Dry mixed recycling

In Hillingdon, you can recycle paper, cardboard, glass and plastics every week for free - and it all goes in the same clear (dry mixed) recycling bag.

Watch our 'Top of the Pops' style chart countdown, exposing the top 5 contaminating items most commonly found in residents' dry mixed recycling bags.

Order recycling bags

We've relaunched our automatic recycling bag delivery scheme. If you'd like to sign up for automatic deliveries of recycling bags, register using our online form and we'll deliver recycling bags to your doorstep. 

Important: If you currently have recycling bags delivered, you'll need to re-register your account.

Sign up or re-register for automatic recycling bag deliveries

Alternatively, you can order 1 roll of recycling bags online.

Please note:

  • Orders can be made for households (residential properties) only.
  • You cannot place another order if your last order was within the last 7 days.
  • If it has been more than 10 days since you ordered a roll of recycling bags and you have not received them yet, you can query undelivered recycling bags

What can I recycle in my dry mixed recycling bags?

Important: Please ensure all items/containers are clean, dry and empty.

  • Aerosol cans (do not pierce or squash)
  • Aluminium foil (clean)
  • Books
  • Butter and margarine tubs
  • Cardboard
  • Cartons
  • Catalogues
  • Directories
  • Drinks cans
  • Envelopes
  • Food cans
  • Foil trays and containers
  • Glass bottles and jars (lids can be added to your recycling bag separately)
  • Junk mall
  • Magazines
  • Newspapers
  • Paper
  • Plastic trays
  • Plastic bottles (including lids)
  • Shredded paper
  • Tetra packs (cartons with a waxed finish)
  • Wrapping paper (not the foil type)
  • Yellow Pages
  • Yoghurt pots

  • Asthma pumps
  • Batteries
  • Bubble wrap
  • Clinical waste
  • Crisp packets
  • Disposable nappies
  • Disposable takeaway cups
  • Flower pots
  • Flowers and flower packaging
  • Food waste
  • Hard plastics
  • Hot food containers
  • Light bulbs
  • Non-food metal items
  • Packaging tape
  • Pet food packaging
  • Plastic toys
  • Polystyrene
  • Prescription bottles
  • Sanitary products
  • Shopping bags
  • Textiles
  • Wood

Please note: Items not listed above may be covered on our other web pages:


Instructions for collection

  • All recycling should be placed in the clear recycling bags provided.
  • All dry recyclables can be mixed into the same bag - there is no need to sort different materials into separate bags.
  • You can put out as many recycling bags for collection as you wish.​​​​​
  • If you have any big cardboard items, please flatten and put these underneath your tied recycling bags.
  • Keep all of your recycling bags within your property boundary until collection day.
  • On your collection day, leave your tied recycling sacks at the end of your property boundary before 6am.
  • If you do not have a front garden, leave the tied sacks on the pavement no earlier than 5.30pm the evening before collection day.

Look up my collection day


    Missed collection

    If your recycling hasn't been collected on your collection day and you have followed instructions for collection, please let us know and we will make another collection within 2 working days.

    Please note: A missed collection cannot be reported until after 1.30pm on your collection day and must be within 72 hours of the collection being missed.

    Report a missed recycling collection (house)

    Report a missed recycling collection (flat with bulk bin)

      Page last updated: 15 Oct 2024