Request new or replacement bins and boxes

The council has continued to provide waste and recycling containers free for as long as possible, but this is no longer sustainable given the economic pressures that the council is facing.  

On 29 February 2024, Budget Council approved the introduction of an administrative fee of £18, which will apply to all requests for new and replacement domestic waste and recycling containers, excluding food waste caddies. The fee will be introduced on 8 May 2024.

Charging an administrative fee for containers will alleviate some of the financial burden on the council and encourage residents to maximise the lifespan of the containers.  

A report was previously presented to the Culture, Housing, Environment & Planning Committee on this option in February 2020 but the proposal was eventually withdrawn. Unfortunately, due to growing economic pressures, the council is no longer able to avoid introducing the admin fees.

Any bins lost in the collection lorries or damaged by the council's contractor during the collection process will be replaced free of charge. The collection crew will record this and a free replacement bin will be issued.  

Where a resident believes a bin has been damaged by the crew and this hasn’t been recorded, they will need to refer this to the council’s waste team through an online form with supporting evidence.

A 50% discount per container will apply for each additional container requested at the same time. This is likely to apply primarily to those moving into a new build domestic property or moving to a domestic property without bins that need a full complement of bins.  
Replacement containers can be ordered on the council’s website. 

Frequently asked questions

What is happening?
An administrative fee of £18 will apply for all requests for new and replacement domestic waste and recycling containers, excluding food waste caddies. 

When is it happening?
The fee will be introduced on 8 May 2024.

Why is this happening?
The council has continued to provide waste and recycling containers free for as long as possible, but this is no longer sustainable given the economic pressures the council is facing.

Introducing an administrative fee for containers will help alleviate some of the financial burden on the council, reduce requests for unnecessary replacements, and encourage residents to maximise the lifespan of their waste and recycling containers.

Is this definitely allowed / ‘legal’?
Under the Environment Protection Act, local authorities are permitted to specify the size and type of container used for rubbish and recycling collections. This also permits the council to charge when new and replacement bins are required.

Won’t this make responsible waste/recycling disposal more difficult?
We expect residents to ensure that they have all the required containers to recycle fully. All non-recyclable rubbish should fit into the rubbish bin - additional rubbish will not be collected. Additional recycling presented next to a recycling container will be collected. You can learn more about what can be recycled and how to present your bins here.

Can we tell what the impact on Kingston's recycling rate will be? How does this fit in with the council’s climate emergency commitment?
We will continue to monitor the recycling rate in the borough closely, and promote recycling and reuse ahead of rubbish disposal. Replacement food caddies will continue to be issued free of charge.

Could any cost savings be lost due to less being recycled?
It is not expected that the introduction of a modest charge will impact upon the recycling rate, however this, and the cost of disposal, will continue to be monitored.

How will savings be spent?
The income will help to offset the costs associated with providing new and replacement containers and will deliver savings that will help the council to balance its budget in 2024/25 and beyond.

Will people own the replacement bins?
The containers will remain the property of the council. The charge reflects the administrative costs only and excludes the cost of the bin itself.

What happens if people don’t replace their bins and leave bags out?
To ensure efficient waste collection, please make sure rubbish is placed inside the appropriate containers. If rubbish is not contained properly or is placed beside the container, it will not be collected. 

If additional recycling is placed next to an appropriate recycling container, it will be collected. 

Some properties lacking front gardens or space for a bin may use council-branded bags for collection. According to, Section 46 of the Environment Protection Act, the council may require occupants to use specific numbered receptacles for waste collection

Will residents that move to the borough have to buy a whole set of bins if previous occupants take theirs with them? What’s the cost?
Yes. A 50% discount per container will apply for each additional container requested at the same time. Therefore, a set of standard chargeable containers (i.e. a residual waste bin, dry mixed recycling box and paper and card bin) will cost £36. The indoor and outdoor food caddies will be free of charge. In the case of new builds, it is the responsibility of the developer to purchase the necessary communal containers for rubbish and recycling.

How will we know if the Veolia collection crew broke the bin? What’s involved or resource is needed to investigate?
If a bin is broken in the course of collection or accidentally ends up in the lorry, the collection crew will record this and a free replacement bin will be issued. This excludes any damage caused by overfilling the bin or placing inappropriate items in it. Where this has not been recorded and the resident has clear evidence to support their claim, they may contact the waste team and complete an online form.

What if my new bin has been delivered with a defect?
Contact us on 020 8547 5002 for a replacement container to be provided free of charge, where it has been reported as faulty within 7 days of delivery.

What if someone’s bin is lost or stolen?
It is the responsibility of the householder to ensure that bins are stored securely and/or clearly marked with the relevant house number. If containers are lost or stolen, it will need to be replaced and the standard charge will apply.

As bins are outside, they do get rummaged through and damaged by animals.
If the container is no longer usable, either through animal damage or general wear and tear, it will need to be replaced and the standard charge will apply.

If the council has a statutory duty to collect waste, does it have a statutory duty to provide containers of any kind?
There is no statutory obligation to provide rubbish or recycling containers free of charge. The council can stipulate which containers should be used for collection, including the dimensions and colour required.

What if people can’t afford bins?
The charge is intended to encourage residents to take responsibility for the wheeled bins and boxes provided and to reduce demand for replacement containers. We have kept the charge as modest as possible.

How do Kingston Council’s charges compare with other boroughs?
Our charges have been benchmarked against other boroughs and the charge proposed compares favourably with others that charge only for delivery or admin costs. .

My bin has taken longer than 20 days to arrive. Do I still have to pay?
In a vast majority of cases, bins are delivered in less than 20 days. If there are any temporary delays to timescales for operational reasons, this will be highlighted on the container page of the website. The charge will still need to be paid.

Can I buy my own bin from somewhere else?
Residents can opt to provide their own, however these must conform with BS EN840 regulations (a basic standard for the design of mobile waste containers) and be of the same capacity and dimensions as the council’s official bins permitted for that property and the same colour and design.

In case of any additional questions contact:
Telephone: 020 8547 5002
@ContactKingston