Worcester Bins

Worcester Bins are managed by Worcester City Council, which operates an alternate-week wheelie bin collection service for most households. Knowing which bin is due, what can be recycled and when to put your bins out can help avoid missed collections, contamination and unnecessary trips to a recycling centre.

This guide explains how household waste and recycling collections work in Worcester, including black and green bins, garden waste, bulky items, bank holiday arrangements and what to do if your bin has not been emptied. Collection arrangements can change, particularly around Easter, Christmas and New Year, so always check the council’s bin collection lookup before putting bins out.

How Worcester Bin Collections Work

Worcester City Council operates an alternate-week wheelie bin scheme for most properties. Households are generally provided with two wheelie bins: a 180-litre black bin for general waste and a 240-litre green bin for recycling.

The black bin is collected one week and the green recycling bin the next, then the pattern repeats. This means each type of waste needs to be stored safely in the appropriate bin for up to two weeks, so it is important to separate materials correctly and avoid putting recyclable items in the black bin.

Domestic waste and recycling collections take place on four days each week: Tuesday to Friday. Collections operate between 7am and 4.45pm, and bins must be presented by 7am on the scheduled collection day.

Black Bin: General Waste

The black bin is for general household waste that cannot be recycled through the kerbside collection service. Worcester City Council says food waste and non-recyclable packaging should be placed in the black bin.

Excess waste should not be left in black sacks beside the bin. The council does not collect side waste, so households with additional rubbish should take it to a Household Waste and Recycling Site rather than leaving it at the kerbside.

Hazardous waste must be disposed of responsibly at a Household Waste and Recycling Site. Items such as chemicals, paints, batteries and electrical goods should not be placed in the black bin.

What Not to Put in the Black Bin

• Recyclable paper, cardboard, glass, cans, foil and suitable plastics.
• Garden waste, which should go in a brown bin where the garden waste service is used.
• Hazardous materials, including certain chemicals, paints and batteries.
• Large household items, such as furniture, mattresses, carpets and white goods.
• Excess black sacks left beside the bin, which the council does not collect.

Green Bin: Recycling in Worcester

The green bin is Worcester’s kerbside recycling bin. Worcester City Council expanded the service from April 2026 to include aluminium foil and plastic tubes, including used toothpaste tubes, alongside existing recyclable materials.

Everyday recyclable items include food tins, drink cans, mixed glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and containers, paper, cartons and cardboard. Recycling should be clean, dry and placed loosely in the bin. The council asks residents not to squash metals or plastics.

Residents living in flats can use communal recycling bins, which are clearly marked. If you are unsure whether an item can be recycled, check the council’s A to Z of recycling or use a recycling locator before placing it in the green bin.

Items You Can Recycle in the Green Bin

• Paper and cardboard.
• Food tins and drink cans.
• Aluminium foil.
• Mixed glass bottles and jars.
• Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays.
• Plastic tubes, including used toothpaste tubes.
• Cartons.
• Aerosols.

When Is My Bin Collection Day?

The easiest way to check your Worcester bin collection day is to use Worcester City Council’s bin collection day lookup. This provides the scheduled collection dates for your address and helps you confirm whether your black or green bin is due.

Bins should be placed at the front edge of the property by 7am on collection day, normally at the same collection point as the black and green bins. If a different arrangement has been agreed with the council, follow that arrangement instead.

Missed collections can be reported through the council’s website or by calling the Customer Service Centre on 01905 722233. If a collection is missed because of circumstances beyond the council’s control, the council will try to arrange an alternative collection.

Bank Holidays and Changed Collections

Worcester City Council publishes changes to bin collection dates in advance for public bank holidays. Services that may be affected include household waste and recycling, garden waste, commercial waste and bulky waste collections.

For some bank holidays, domestic bin collections and garden waste collections may continue as normal, particularly where the normal collection day does not fall on the holiday. However, commercial waste and recycling collections can follow different revised schedules.

Different arrangements apply at Easter and Christmas and New Year. These are announced on the council’s website, so residents should check for updates rather than assuming their usual collection day will remain unchanged.

Garden Waste: Brown Bins

Worcester City Council collects garden waste fortnightly from a brown wheelie bin. This is a chargeable service, and households can request the number of bins they need, which are then emptied at the agreed frequency.

Garden waste bins should be presented by 7am on collection day at the front edge of the property, unless another arrangement has been agreed. The council may suspend garden waste collections during severe weather to prioritise catch-up arrangements for recycling and refuse.

Garden waste collection schedules can also change during public holidays. If you subscribe to the service, check your collection calendar before placing the brown bin out, particularly around Easter, Christmas and New Year.

Bulky Waste Collections in Worcester

Large household items must not be placed in ordinary bins. Items such as furniture, mattresses, white goods, electrical items, carpets and DIY rubble can be collected through Worcester City Council’s bulky household waste collection service or taken to a Household Recycling Centre.

The council’s bulky waste service is booked online. General waste collections, excluding white goods, electrical items and metal items, take place on Tuesdays. White goods, electrical items and metal items, including cookers, washing machines, microwaves, televisions, bicycles, radiators and barbecues, are collected on Thursdays.

Collections take place between 7am and 3.30pm. Worcester City Council also offers a free concessionary bulky waste collection service for residents who receive Council Tax Support. The council no longer operates a Saturday Skips service.

Household Recycling Centres Near Worcester

If you prefer to take bulky waste yourself, Worcester has two Household Recycling Centres: Bilford Road and Horsford Road, off Hallow Road. Both sites accept household waste for disposal or recycling, although opening times, booking requirements and accepted materials vary.

The council advises arriving at least 15 minutes before closing time to allow enough time to unload. Opening hours and booking rules can change, so check Worcestershire County Council’s website before making a special trip.

Wheelie Bin Replacement and Sizes

Worcester City Council provides wheelie bins as part of its household collection service, but replacement bins may be chargeable. From 1 April 2026, the council states that there is a £39 charge if a black bin needs to be replaced. This is reduced to £29 for recipients of Council Tax Support.

The council also provides information on wheelie bin sizes and guidance for landlords. Landlords are responsible for ensuring tenants understand how to use bins correctly, put them out on time and avoid leaving side waste.

If you are moving into a new property, check which bins are present and use the council’s lookup service to confirm the next collection date. If bins are missing or damaged, contact Worcester City Council to ask about a replacement.

Tips to Avoid Missed Worcester Bin Collections

Most missed collections happen because bins are not out in time, contain the wrong materials or are presented in the wrong place. A few simple habits can help keep collections running smoothly.

• Check your collection day regularly: Use the council’s lookup tool, especially after a bank holiday.
• Put bins out by 7am: Collections begin early, so leaving bins out the night before can be safer.
• Use the correct bin: Keep general waste separate from recycling and garden waste.
• Keep recycling clean and dry: Rinse containers where possible and avoid putting food or liquids into the green bin.
• Do not leave side waste: Excess rubbish will not be collected from beside the bin.
• Return bins after collection: This helps keep pavements clear and reduces obstruction.
• Report a genuine missed collection: Use the council website or call 01905 722233.

Worcester Bins for Landlords and Tenants

Worcester’s alternate-week wheelie bin system has been in place since October 2005. Landlords have a responsibility to make sure tenants understand the collection procedures, including which bin to use, when to put it out and how to avoid side waste.

Tenants must place wheelie bins at the edge of their property, normally at the front, by 7am on collection day. Landlords should also pass on any changes to collection schedules during public holidays, so tenants do not miss a collection.

For houses in multiple occupation or properties with several households, it is especially important to agree clear arrangements for bin storage, presentation and recycling. This can reduce overflowing bins, contamination and complaints from neighbours.

What To Do If Your Bin Has Not Been Emptied

If your bin has not been collected, first check whether it was actually due using the council’s bin collection day lookup. If it was due and has been left unemptied, check for a contamination sticker or other notice.

If the bin was contaminated, remove the offending material and re-present the bin on the next scheduled collection day, which may be two weeks later. If you cannot wait, take the contents to a Household Waste and Recycling Site.

If there is no obvious reason for the missed collection, report it to Worcester City Council through its website or by calling 01905 722233. Provide your address, bin type and collection day to help the council investigate quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What day are Worcester bins collected?

Collection days vary by address. Worcester City Council provides a bin collection day lookup so residents can check when their black, green and brown bins are due. Domestic collections take place from Tuesday to Friday.

What time should I put my bin out in Worcester?

Bins should be presented by 7am on your collection day, at the front edge of your property unless another arrangement has been agreed. Many residents put bins out the evening before to avoid missing the collection.

What goes in the green bin in Worcester?

The green bin is for recycling. From April 2026, it includes paper, card, glass bottles and jars, cans, foil, cartons, aerosols, plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays and plastic tubes such as toothpaste tubes. Recycling should be clean, dry and loose.

Can I leave extra black sacks next to my bin?

No. Worcester City Council does not collect side waste. Excess waste should be taken to a Household Waste and Recycling Site rather than left beside your bin.

Does Worcester collect garden waste?

Yes. Garden waste is collected fortnightly from a brown wheelie bin as part of a chargeable service. Bins should be presented by 7am on the agreed collection day.

How do I arrange a bulky waste collection in Worcester?

Bulky household waste collections can be booked online through Worcester City Council. General waste is collected on Tuesdays, while white goods, electrical items and metal items are collected on Thursdays. Collections take place between 7am and 3.30pm.

What happens if my bin is contaminated?

If your bin is contaminated, remove the non-recyclable or unsuitable material and re-present the bin on your next collection day. If you cannot wait, take the contents to a Household Waste and Recycling Site.

Are Worcester bin collections affected by bank holidays?

They can be. Worcester City Council publishes changes in advance for household waste, recycling, garden waste, commercial waste and bulky collections. Different arrangements apply at Easter and Christmas and New Year, so check the council’s website for updates.