Flats above shops

What to do with your waste and recycling if you live above a shop.

If you live in a flat above a shop, you must use council-provided sacks for your waste and recycling.

We do not collect wheelie bins from these properties.

Use the correct sacks

You must put your waste in:

  • red sacks for general rubbish
  • blue sacks for recycling

Do not use black sacks or any other bags.

Collection days and times

Leave your sacks at your designated collection point (marked by a council collection point sign):

  • on your collection days only
  • between 6pm and 8pm

Collection crews will collect your sacks between 8pm and 5am.

What to put in red rubbish sacks

Use red sacks for non-recyclable household waste.

Do not use black sacks or any other bags.

What to put in blue recycling sacks

Use blue sacks for:

  • paper and cardboard
  • glass bottles and jars
  • plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays
  • tins, cans and cartons

Do not put food waste, nappies or general rubbish in blue sacks. This can contaminate recycling and prevent it from being processed.

Sack deliveries

You will receive:

  • 26 red rubbish sacks
  • 26 blue recycling sacks

Sacks are delivered 4 times a year. This provides enough sacks for 2 collections each week.

If you need more sacks

Additional red rubbish sacks are not available.

You can request additional blue recycling sacks through our rubbish and recycling service.

Check your collection days

You can check your collection days online.

If you have extra rubbish

You can take additional household waste to one of Croydon's household reuse and recycling centres (HRRCs):

  • Factory Lane, West Croydon CR0 3RL
  • Fishers Farm, New Addington CR0 0LB
  • Purley Oaks, South Croydon CR8 2BG

You must book a visit before attending.

Bulky items

Do not leave furniture, mattresses or other bulky items at collection points.

If you do not follow the rules

You may receive a fixed penalty notice if you:

  • use black sacks or other non-approved bags
  • leave sacks out on non-collection days
  • leave sacks out before 6pm or after 8pm
  • put rubbish in recycling sacks
  • leave bulky items or loose waste at collection points