Reducing what you waste and reusing items as much as possible is a great way to reduce your impact on the environment and protect Bexley for future generations.
The rubbish generated at Christmas goes up by 30% compared to the rubbish created during the rest of the year. Up to 70% of our rubbish can be recycled or reused, so remember to plan for your extra rubbish this Christmas and ensure you are recycling correctly.
Recycling banks are convenient places for residents to recycle reasonable amounts of cans, glass, paper, card and plastic bottles.
All recycling banks have signs clearly showing what goes in each container. Please ensure you are placing the correct recycling in each of the containers to ensure they can be recycled.
Most of our residents use the sites properly, but a small number illegally dump rubbish at them. This makes it hard to empty the containers and prevents other people from using them.
Illegal dumping around our recycling banks and on our streets is a criminal offence under the Environmental Protection Act which can result in a £400 fine or criminal prosecution.
Recycling sites across Bexley are monitored with CCTV and signs are in place to warn people they can be fined if caught fly-tipping.
Our Enforcement Team will regularly visit the sites and will issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) if any evidence is found.
Remember, if a recycling bank is full, do not just throw your rubbish or recycling on the ground as this will be classed as fly-tipping and a FPN can be issued.
So far this financial year, from April to October 2023, the following fines have been issued in Bexley:
- Litter (£150) – 654 FPNs
- Fly-tipping (Small fly-tips £150, large fly-tips £400) – 1086 FPNs
- Duty of care (£400) – 5 FPNs – (If you pay for a company to collect and dispose of your waste and they are not licensed)
- Failure to produce waste carriers license/transfer notes – 15 FPNs
Bexley also has two Reuse and Recycling Centres for residents to dispose of additional rubbish and recycling free of charge. Please separate your rubbish prior to travelling so that as much as possible can be reused and recycled.
We can arrange to pick up bulky or large rubbish items as a one-off. You can book and pay for this service as you need it. Prices start from £42 and the total cost depends on the number and size of items to be collected. Book a service by visiting the bulky waste page.
Don’t forget, good quality items can be donated to local charities and go to a new home.
Councillor Richard Diment - Cabinet Member for Places said:
Each year, large amounts of taxpayers’ money is spent clearing up fly tips from our streets and recycling banks. This is money we would rather spend on services for residents.
Every household is provided with rubbish and recycling bins and with two Reuse and Recycling Centres, a bulky waste collection service and recycling banks across the borough, there is absolutely no excuse for fly-tipping. Everyone has a legal 'duty of care' to ensure their household or business waste is disposed of correctly”.
If you are hiring someone to remove your rubbish, you must always make sure you use a registered waste carrier.
Information about licensed waste carriers can be obtained from the Environment Agency's website.
Remember to decline any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away and ask for waste transfer documents confirming where your waste will be taken before you arrange for the waste to be removed.
Our enforcement team is working hard to keep Bexley clean and green and has a number of projects coming up to help stamp out fly-tipping, including partnership work with the Police and the Environmental Agency.
If it's your rubbish, it's your responsibility.