What Goes In Which Bin
(Surrey & South London Guide)
If you’re staring at the bins wondering what goes in which bin, you’re not alone. Colours differ by council, some areas are mid-change, and flats often use different systems. This clear, local guide covers Surrey & nearby London boroughs with simple rules, colours and quick checks—so you put the right waste in the right bin.
Shortcut: If your bin was refused or missed, use our Missed Bin Collection Checker to see if the council will return—or book a private collection and we’ll clear it fast.
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What Goes In Which Bin: Quick Answer
- Mixed recycling (plastics, glass, cans, cartons, foil) → usually a blue or grey/green-lidded recycling bin (varies by council).
- Paper & cardboard → often a separate blue-lidded bin or box in SLWP areas.
- Food waste → indoor caddy + lockable outdoor caddy (weekly).
- Garden waste → brown-lidded wheelie (subscription service).
- General rubbish → black/green-lidded bin (non-recyclables; often fortnightly).
Note: Colours aren’t universal, and flats/estates may use communal bins or sacks. Always check your council page below.
Council-by-council bin colours & rules
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
- Mixed recycling: Grey-lidded wheelie (alt weekly)
- Paper & cardboard: Black recycling box (weekly)
- General waste: Green-lidded wheelie (alt weekly)
- Food waste: Lockable outdoor caddy (weekly)
- Garden waste (subscription): Brown-lidded wheelie
More help: Reigate & Banstead page.
Mole Valley District Council (JWS area)
- Recycling (mixed dry): Blue lid (black or green body) rolling in; older stock all-green
- General waste: Black lid / black body
- Food waste: Green outdoor caddy (+ silver indoor caddy)
- Garden waste (subscription): Brown lid (black/green body)
More help: Mole Valley page.
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council
- Mixed recycling: Green wheelie (weekly) — no glass
- Glass: Kerbside box (separate)
- General waste: Black refuse bin
- Food waste: Caddies (weekly)
- Garden waste (subscription): Brown bin (fortnightly)
More help: Epsom & Ewell page.
Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (SLWP)
- Mixed recycling (plastics, glass, cans, cartons): Green recycling bin/box (some properties use blue sacks)
- Paper & card: Blue-lidded bin / clear sacks
- General waste: Black rubbish bin
- Food waste: Brown food caddies
More help: Kingston page.
London Borough of Sutton (SLWP)
- General waste: Brown wheelie (140L)
- Paper & card: Green wheelie (240L)
- Mixed recycling (containers): Green box for houses; estates may differ (e.g., black bin/blue lid for paper/card; green communal/red lid for rubbish)
- Food waste: 7L indoor + 23L outdoor caddies
- Garden waste (subscription): 240L wheelie
More help: Sutton page.
London Borough of Croydon (SLWP)
- Paper & card: Blue-lidded wheelie / blue box (alt weekly)
- Mixed recycling (plastics, glass, cans, cartons): Grey-lidded wheelie (some newer stock green-lid); green box also used
- General rubbish: Black wheelie (fortnightly)
- Food waste: Caddies (weekly)
- Garden waste (subscription): Brown bin
More help: Croydon page.
London Borough of Merton (SLWP)
- Paper & card: Blue-topped wheelie (or clear sacks if no space)
- Mixed recycling (plastics, glass, cans, cartons): Recycling boxes (blue-striped or purple bags depending on property)
- General waste: Black-topped wheelie / red-striped bags (where issued)
- Food waste: Indoor + outdoor caddies
More help: Merton page.
Elmbridge Borough Council (JWS area)
- Recycling (mixed dry): Blue lid (black or green body) rolling in; older stock may be green body + blue lid
- General waste: Black lid / black body (older stock may be all-green)
- Food waste: Green outdoor caddy (+ silver indoor caddy)
- Garden waste (subscription): Brown lid (black/green body)
More help: Elmbridge page.
Prevent contamination (& refusals) with these quick checks
- Lids closed: Overfilled or heavy bins are commonly refused.
- No side waste: Extra bags left beside bins are often ignored.
- Stream right: Keep glass out of streams that don’t allow it (e.g., Epsom & Ewell mixed bin).
- Flats differ: Communal bins/bags and sack routes follow separate rules—see your council’s guidance.
Missed or refused? Use the Missed Bin Checker or book a private collection now.
Council help & local pages
For contacts and report links, see: Missed Bin Phone Numbers (Surrey). Council pages on our site:
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Conclusion
With colours changing between boroughs, it’s easy to mix streams. Use this guide to sort correctly, and if a bin gets missed or refused, try the Missed Bin Checker or book Missed Bins for a fast, reliable clear-up.