Find Your Bin Day, Food Caddy and New Bin Rules
Use this guide to check Sevenoaks District Council collection dates, weekly food waste, recycling sacks, garden waste permits, missed collections, large item bookings and autumn 2026 wheelie-bin changes.
It is written for residents who want to complete the task quickly: check the exact address, prepare the right container, report only when eligible, and use Kent County Council for the recycling centre.
Quick answer: use Sevenoaks District Council’s official collection-day page, choose your exact address and put waste, recycling, food waste caddies and subscribed garden waste out by 7am. If something is not collected, wait until after 4pm, check the date, container, boundary point and any crew note, then report quickly if it qualifies.
Food waste is now a weekly kerbside service for most households. Garden waste is optional and paid. Large household items must be booked separately. Sevenoaks Household Waste Recycling Centre is run by Kent County Council and requires a booked slot before visiting.
I Want To…
Choose the task first. Each card points to the right Sevenoaks or Kent route without making you read the whole page.
Find my bin day
Check the exact address for waste, recycling, food caddy and garden waste dates.
Fix a missed collection
Check the 4pm rule, 7am rule, wrong-item issues and report deadline first.
Use garden waste
Compare 240L bin, 140L bin, extra bin and official sack options.
Prepare for new bins
Understand autumn 2026 black and green-lid wheelie-bin changes.
Official Source Summary: Sevenoaks District vs Kent County Council
Sevenoaks District Council handles normal kerbside collections, food waste, garden waste, large item bookings, assisted rubbish collections and the autumn 2026 bin change. Kent County Council handles the Sevenoaks Household Waste Recycling Centre.
| Need | Official detail used | Correct action |
|---|---|---|
| Collection date | Sevenoaks asks residents to use its address lookup and put waste streams out by 7am. | Check the official collection-day page before putting anything out. |
| Missed collection | The missed collection form can be completed after 4pm because crews may still be collecting before then. | Wait until after 4pm, then report quickly if eligible. |
| Food waste | Food waste is collected weekly for most households and may be collected by a different vehicle. | Use the outdoor food caddy and do not assume it is missed just because sacks were collected first. |
| Garden waste | Garden waste is a paid fortnightly service with bin and sack options and a Christmas/New Year break. | Check permit, accepted items, sack rules and renewal status. |
| Recycling centre | Sevenoaks HWRC is run by Kent County Council and requires a booking before visiting. | Book a slot and check vehicle restrictions before travelling. |
Step-by-Step: Check Your Sevenoaks Bin Day Correctly
Use this when you move in, miss a collection, receive food caddies, start garden waste or prepare for the 2026 wheelie-bin change.
Open the official lookup
Start with Sevenoaks District Council’s collection-day page, not a screenshot, social post or old PDF.
Choose the exact property
Flats, long lanes, rural homes, communal bins and hard-to-service properties can differ. Do not use only the first postcode result.
Save each stream separately
Write a simple household note: waste / recycling / food caddy / garden waste. Food waste can be collected at a different time.
Check special alerts
Bank holidays, severe weather and heatwave early starts can change collection timing. If Sevenoaks says to put waste out the night before, follow that alert.
Before Leaving Home on Bin Day: Sevenoaks Checklist
Run through this quick list before you leave for work, school or an appointment. It reduces missed reports and rejected collections.
Out by 7am
Put waste, recycling, food caddy and garden waste at the boundary by 7am unless Sevenoaks issues a specific earlier-start alert.
Correct place
Use the property boundary, the usual collection point or the agreed communal bin area. Do not block pavements.
Garden permit active
If garden waste is out, check the permit, official sack, lid and contents before leaving it for collection.
- Collection day checked for the exact address.
- Waste stream confirmed: recycling, black waste, food caddy, garden waste or large item.
- Reusable recycling bag, clear sack or black sack used correctly.
- Food caddy closed and placed outside, not hidden behind sacks.
- Garden waste contains no soil, stones, rubble, plastic bags or animal waste.
- Large items are booked, paid for and placed out only for the booked day.
Sevenoaks Recycling, Waste and Food Containers Explained
A lot of failed collections happen because the wrong container is used. Use this before putting items in sacks or bags.
| Container / route | Use for | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Reusable recycling bag | Dry recycling such as paper, card, cans, cartons, clean foil, plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays and toothpaste tubes. | Leaving it inside a wheelie bin. Sevenoaks says to remove the recycling bag and put it out by the kerb. |
| Clear recycling sack | Extra recycling when the reusable bag is full. | Using a dark bag. Clear sacks let crews check for non-recyclable items. |
| Black household waste sack | Non-recyclable household waste. | Putting sharp objects, batteries, textiles or electricals inside. |
| Outdoor food caddy | Weekly food waste for most households. | Reporting too early because the caddy is collected by a different vehicle. |
| Garden waste bin or official sack | Subscribed garden plant waste. | Using non-Sevenoaks sacks or adding soil, rubble, plastic, food waste or animal waste. |
Food Waste Collections: Weekly Caddies for Most Households
Sevenoaks began weekly food waste collections for most residents from 27 April 2026. Food waste is usually collected on the same day as general waste and recycling, but by a different vehicle.
Use the caddies
Most households receive a small indoor caddy and a larger outdoor caddy. Put the outdoor caddy out by 7am.
Different collection time
The food caddy can be collected separately from sacks and recycling, so wait until after 4pm before reporting it missed.
Communal properties
Some residents using communal waste bins may not follow the standard house caddy setup. Check the official page for your property type.
Garden Waste Permit: Bins, Sacks, Costs and What Goes In
Sevenoaks garden waste is a paid optional service collected every two weeks, usually on the same day as rubbish. Only official garden waste bins and official Sevenoaks garden waste sacks are collected.
| Option | Current Sevenoaks detail | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| 240 litre garden bin | £65 a year; service runs 48 weeks with a four-week Christmas/New Year break. | Regular garden waste and a typical garden. |
| 140 litre garden bin | £48 a year for smaller gardens or limited storage space. | Smaller gardens or homes with less space. |
| Additional garden bin | Additional 240 litre garden waste wheelie bins are listed at £37.50 plus the £65 permit cost. | Larger gardens needing extra capacity. |
| Garden waste sacks | Each sack holds up to 80 litres. Bundles of 25 are listed at £29, with individual sacks listed at £1.16 where available. | Occasional garden waste or homes without bin storage. |
| Delivery / surrender timing | The council page says new or surrendered bins are handled within 20 working days; the terms also refer to delivery within one month. | Do not wait until the first heavy garden week to order. |
Garden Waste Terms PDF: Small Print That Affects Collection
The garden waste terms are useful because they explain eligibility, unsuitable properties, delivery timing, permit renewal and why a bin or sack may be refused.
Eligibility
You must be a Sevenoaks District resident aged 18 or over. Commercial properties are not included.
Property suitability
Some homes may be unsuitable because of storage space, steps, private roads or access for refuse vehicles.
Permit timing
For new garden bins, the permit becomes useful when the bin is delivered. Payment alone does not mean a new bin can be emptied immediately.
Refusal reasons
Bins or sacks can be left if they contain wrong material, are too heavy, unsafe, contaminated or not presented correctly.
Renewal
Permits are valid for 12 months. If not renewed, collections stop when the permit expires.
Missed garden bin deadline
The terms refer to reporting missed garden waste collections within two working days of the scheduled date.
Sevenoaks Item Helper: What Goes Where?
Pick a common item before putting it in a recycling bag, black sack, food caddy, garden bin, large item booking or HWRC trip.
Missed Collection Diagnosis: Report, Wait or Fix First?
Use this before submitting a report. It saves time and reduces rejected missed-collection requests.
Large Item Collection: Prices, Limits and Booking Rules
Sevenoaks offers a booked large item collection for district residents. Count and classify items before booking because some items have fixed prices and some are not accepted.
| Large item point | Sevenoaks detail | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| Standard items | 1 item £26; 2 items £31; 3 to 4 items £42.50; 5 to 10 items £57. | List every item before booking. Maximum 10 items. |
| Fixed-price items | Corner sofas £31; white goods £26; large American-style fridges/freezers £46.50. | Choose the correct item category. |
| Accepted examples | Furniture, beds, mattresses and white goods such as cookers, fridges and freezers. | Empty fridges and freezers before collection. |
| Not collected | TVs, furniture or doors containing glass, gas canisters, plasterboard, builders waste, rubble and hazardous materials. | Use Kent disposal guidance or a licensed waste carrier. |
| Set-out | Items must be outside the property boundary by 7am on the booked waste collection day. | Do not block pavements, shared access or roads. |
New Sevenoaks Wheelie Bins From Autumn 2026
Sevenoaks is introducing wheelie bins for most households from autumn 2026. Keep using the current system until your bins arrive and the council confirms your start date.
180 litre black waste bin
For remaining general waste only. Food waste, garden waste and recyclable items should not go in this bin.
240 litre green-lid recycling bin
For dry recycling including glass bottles and jars, paper, card, metal cans, clean foil, plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, toothpaste tubes and cartons.
Alternate weekly collections
Once the new system starts, general waste and recycling will alternate weekly. Food waste remains weekly.
Assisted Collections, Clinical Waste and Special Household Needs
Some Sevenoaks residents need extra help because of mobility, health or medical waste needs. Use the correct form because these are not the same as a missed-bin report.
Assisted rubbish collection
Sevenoaks may help residents who are frail, elderly or disabled and cannot carry rubbish and recycling bags to the boundary, where no one else can help. Bags must be left in an agreed location close to the house by 7am. The assisted collection page says garden waste is not included.
Clinical waste collection
Regular clinical waste collections require registration. Sevenoaks says a doctor or district nurse should email the council confirming the type of clinical waste needed before the resident completes the online form.
Sevenoaks Household Waste Recycling Centre: Booking and Location Help
The local recycling centre is a Kent County Council service. Use it for items that do not belong in Sevenoaks sacks, caddies, garden bins or large-item booking.
Sevenoaks HWRC
Main Road, Dunbrik, Sundridge, TN14 6EP. Before visiting, you must book a slot; entry without booking is not permitted.
| HWRC check | Kent County Council detail | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | You must book a slot before visiting a Kent HWRC. | Book online before loading the car. |
| Opening times | Sevenoaks HWRC is listed as Monday to Saturday 8am to 4:30pm, Sunday 9am to 4pm, and bank holidays 9am to 4pm. | Check the live Kent page before travelling. |
| Vehicle restrictions | Larger vehicles may need vehicle vouchers and still need a booked slot. | Check restrictions if using a van, trailer or large vehicle. |
| Walk-in waste | Kent’s Sevenoaks HWRC guidance says you cannot carry waste into the site on foot. | Plan a vehicle visit or use another approved route. |
Contact Script for Sevenoaks Bin Help
Use this when the online lookup is unclear, your food caddy or garden permit issue is unusual, or a collection fails repeatedly.
Hello, I need help with a Sevenoaks waste collection. My postcode is [POSTCODE] and my address is [ADDRESS]. The collection due was [rubbish / recycling / food waste / garden waste] on [DATE]. It was put out by [TIME] at [LOCATION]. There was [no sticker / a sticker saying ___]. Neighbours were [collected / not collected / unsure]. Can you confirm whether I should report this online and what I need to fix before the next collection?
Sevenoaks Tips That Prevent Repeat Collection Problems
These are small resident habits that help with sacks, food caddies, garden waste and the upcoming wheelie-bin change.
Put waste out the night before when alerts say so
Normal rule is 7am, but Sevenoaks can start earlier during extreme weather. Follow live council alerts.
Number reusable bags and garden bins
Reusable recycling bags and garden bins can move after collection. A house number reduces mix-ups.
Keep food caddy separate and visible
The caddy may be collected separately. Do not hide it behind sacks or inside a bin store where crews cannot see it.
Do not use random garden sacks
Sevenoaks says garden waste sacks bought elsewhere, or garden waste in other sacks or containers, will not be collected.
Book HWRC before loading the car
Kent requires a booking before visiting household waste recycling centres. Check item rules and vehicle restrictions first.
Do not switch too early to new bin habits
Keep following current guidance until your household receives new bins and Sevenoaks confirms your service start date.
Official Sevenoaks and Kent Waste Links
Use these for final actions only: live dates, forms, bookings, garden permits, new bin updates and recycling centre visits.
Find your waste collection day
Official lookup for rubbish, recycling, food waste and garden waste dates.
Report a missed collection
Use after checking date, time, boundary, container and report deadline.
Collection rules
Presentation rules, flats, crew safety, missed collection and garden waste notes.
Food waste collections
Weekly food caddy collection guidance and replacement caddy help.
Garden waste collection
Permit prices, bin sizes, official sacks, renewal and moving-house details.
Large item collection
Book furniture, mattresses, white goods and other accepted large items.
New bins from autumn 2026
Official wheelie-bin change, delivery and alternate weekly collection details.
Sevenoaks HWRC
Kent County Council page for booking, address, opening times and restrictions.
Kent item disposal search
Use for items not accepted in Sevenoaks kerbside collections.
Sevenoaks Council Bin Collection FAQs
How do I check my Sevenoaks bin collection day?
Use Sevenoaks District Council’s official “Find your waste collection day” page and select your exact address. It covers rubbish, recycling, food waste and garden waste dates.
What time should waste be put out in Sevenoaks?
Normal guidance says recycling, waste, food waste caddies and garden waste should be put out by 7am on collection day. If Sevenoaks issues an early-start alert, follow that alert and put waste out the night before if advised.
When can I report a missed Sevenoaks collection?
You can complete the missed collection report after 4pm on collection day. The general missed collection page says reports are investigated only within one working day after collection day, so report quickly.
How often is food waste collected in Sevenoaks?
Food waste is collected weekly for most households, usually on the same day as normal waste and recycling but by a different vehicle.
How much is Sevenoaks garden waste collection?
Sevenoaks lists the 240 litre garden waste wheelie bin permit at £65 a year and the smaller 140 litre bin at £48 a year. Garden waste sacks are also available, with bundles of 25 listed at £29.
What can go in Sevenoaks garden waste?
Accepted garden waste includes lawn cuttings, flowers, leaves, hedge trimmings, weeds, twigs, small shrubs and branches under one metre long and 50mm in diameter.
What should not go in Sevenoaks garden waste?
Do not put soil, turf, stones, rubble, food waste, plastic, paper, fencing, wood, pet litter, animal waste or oversized branches in garden waste sacks or bins.
What changes are coming to Sevenoaks bins in autumn 2026?
Most households are due to receive a 180 litre black general waste bin and a 240 litre green-lid recycling bin. Once the new service starts, general waste and recycling will alternate weekly, while food waste remains weekly.
How much is Sevenoaks large item collection?
Sevenoaks lists standard large item prices as £26 for 1 item, £31 for 2 items, £42.50 for 3 to 4 items and £57 for 5 to 10 items. Some larger items have fixed prices.
Do I need to book Sevenoaks Household Waste Recycling Centre?
Yes. Kent County Council says you must book a slot before visiting Sevenoaks Household Waste Recycling Centre. Entry without booking is not permitted.
Is assisted collection available for garden waste?
Sevenoaks’ assisted collection page says assisted collections can help with rubbish and recycling bags for eligible residents, but the service is not available for garden waste collections.
Is this page operated by Sevenoaks District Council?
No. This is an independent resident guide. Sevenoaks District Council and Kent County Council official pages remain the final source for live dates, fees, forms, bookings, permits and recycling centre rules.