Blue Box and Bag Recycling Service We will provide you with a blue bag to recycle paper and cardboard and a blue box to recycle your glass bottles, jars, cans, plastic bottles, plastic food trays, margarine tubs and yoghurt pots. Your recycling will be collected on the same day each week.
To find out if you are eligible for the blue box and bag recycling scheme, please check our street service search.
In the majority of cases if you have a green wheeled waste bin for collecting your residual waste you will be entitled to a blue box collection.
If you live on an estate or in an apartment block it is likely that you will not be eligible for this scheme, but you can find out how to recycle at local recycling centre or if you are eligible for the clear bag recycling scheme.
How to recycle using your blue bag and blue box
- Put paper and cardboard in your blue bag. Break down all large pieces of cardboard and flatten boxes before putting in your blue bag.
- Keep your glass separate from your cans and plastics in your blue box. Use your box divider or contact us for another box.
- Materials need to be clean and dry. Please rinse out cans, jars, bottles, food trays, etc.
- Squash cans and plastic bottles, but not aerosols.
- Put your box and bag out at the edge of your property by 7am on your collection day.
Your collection day
Your recycling will be collected on the same day every week. You can check your collection day online using our street service search. Alternatively call us on 020 7525 2000 or email environment@southwark.gov.uk.
Keeping your recycling separated
Your recycling may not be collected if you have not correctly separated the materials. The materials are put into different sections of the collection vehicle, enabling materials to be taken for processing into new products. It also helps the collection crews to work more efficiently.
 Your blue box has a divider that slots into it to create two separate sections, one for glass and one for cans and plastics.
If you can't fit all of your recycling into your box using the divider, you can ask for an extra box. You can use one box for glass and one for cans and plastics.
Requesting blue boxes and bags
If you can't fit all of your recycling in your blue box and bag, have lost your box or bag, or need another box or bag, you can request them by calling 020 7525 2000, emailing environment@southwark.gov.uk or using our  online form.
Reporting problems
Please use the online form to report a blue box or bag that has not been collected.
Contact us
For further information about the blue box and bag recycling service, please contact us.
Recycling unit
Tel: 020 7525 2000
environment@southwark.gov.uk
30-34 Penrose Street
London
SE17 3DW |