Clear Bag Recycling Service
Many people living on estates across Southwark can recycle using the clear bag doorstep recycling service, in addition to using local recycling centres. We provide clear bags for the recyclable materials, which are collected from residents' doorsteps every week and replaced with a new clear bag for the week ahead.
Check if your estate is covered by the clear bag recycling service, what your collection day is and where to leave your clear bags (pdf 437kb).
How does the service work?
- If you live on a participating estate, use your clear bag to recycle glass bottles and jars, paper, cardboard, tins, cans and plastic bottles.
- Please rinse out anything that has contained food and squash your plastic bottles.
- Break cardboard up into smaller pieces, to fit in the bag, and remove any plastic packaging.
- All other materials that can't be recycled go in your refuse bin or black bag.
- Most residents have a doorstep collection, however there are some properties that have a designated collection point for bags. Check the property list (pdf 437kb) to find out where to place your clear bag.
- Leave your clear bag out for collection by 6am on your weekly collection day (pdf 437kb).
- When we collect your clear bag we'll leave you a new bag to recycle for the following week. If you leave out more than one bag we'll leave you the same number of bags to replace these.
- If you need extra bags please contact us on 020 7525 2000 or email environment@southwark.gov.uk.
Progress so far
Since the scheme began in July 2005, we have have added over 41,000 properties to the scheme. We have had excellent cooperation from residents, collecting over 75 tonnes of recycling in clear bags each week! By recycling, these materials have been diverted from going to landfill and have been able to be used to make new items, saving energy and natural resources.
Other recycling facilities
Other recycling facilities across the borough are also improving significantly and there are now more than 550 local recycling centres. If you have a suggestion for a new convenient location for a new recycling centre, please let us know. Contact details can be found below.
Reporting problems
We apologise if your clear bag has been missed. Please report this missed collection using the online form.
Request clear bags
Please use our online form if you want to request more clear bags or to request we stop delivering you clear bags
Contact us
Recycling unit
Tel: 020 7525 2000
environment@southwark.gov.uk
30-34 Penrose Street
London
SE17 3DW |