Harlow

Your kerbside general rubbish and recycling is collected by Harlow District Council. Find out what is accepted in your general rubbish and recycling, as well as how to book a special collection or apply for a clinical waste collection.

Harlow recycling collection

Items accepted in your fortnightly recycling wheelie bin or blue box include:

Plastic bottles with lids left on. Including plastic cleaning, detergent and shampoo bottles
Paper and cardboard
Metal items such as tins, cans and aerosols
Glass bottles and jars with lids left on

Please ensure items are clean and dry before recycling. Find out more about items that are and are not accepted in your recycling bin.

Items accepted in your weekly green food waste caddy include:

Cooked and uncooked food waste
Fruit and vegetables including peelings
Newspaper if used to line your food caddy

Find out more about items that are and are not accepted in your green food waste caddy.

Items accepted in your garden waste bin or sack include:

Grass cuttings
Shrubs, plants (including house flowers), weeds and leaves
Small branches

Please note, garden waste is a chargeable service. Find out more about items that are and are not accepted in your garden waste bin or sack.

Harlow general rubbish collection

Items accepted in your fortnightly general rubbish black bin and purple sack include:

Items which cannot be placed in your recycling containers
Nappies and incontinence waste
Polystyrene
Food pouches
Crisp packets
Bubble wrap
Plastic pots, tubs and trays such as yoghurt pots and ice cream tubs
Plastic film, such as cling film
Medicine blister pack
Drinks cartons

Find out more about items that are and are not accepted in your black bin and purple general rubbish.

Harlow special (bulky waste) collection

It may be possible for you to arrange a special or bulky waste collection for large items or electrical items from your household. Please note there may be a charge for this service.

Find out more about special collections in Harlow and book a collection.

Harlow clinical waste collection

Clinical waste includes human or animal tissue, blood or bodily fluids, excretions, drugs or other pharmaceutical products, swabs or dressings and syringes, needles or other sharp instruments, that may put human health at risk.

Clinical waste is not accepted in your kerbside collection or at any Essex County Council recycling centre. Clinical waste produced by a healthcare worker during a visit to your home should be removed by them. For clinical waste that is generated at home by self-treatment, contact Harlow District Council for a clinical waste collection.

Find your nearest recycling centre in Harlow

Recycling centres are for your own household waste only. Your nearest Essex County Council recycling centre in Harlow is Harlow Recycling Centre. Please check recycling centre opening times and site restrictions before visiting.