Find Your Bin Day, Sort Waste Right and Fix Missed Collections
Use this practical Arun guide to check your next collection date, understand the 2026 food waste and 180-litre general waste changes, and avoid common reasons bins are not collected.
It is built for real households in Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Arundel, Rustington, Angmering, Felpham, Aldwick, Yapton, East Preston and nearby Arun villages.
Quick answer: Arun residents should use the official “When are my bins collected” postcode lookup to find the next rubbish, recycling and food waste collection date. You need a postcode in the Arun district and the property name or number.
Most households now use a 180-litre black general waste bin collected every two weeks, a green bin with blue lid for dry mixed recycling, and a weekly grey food waste caddy with an orange lid. Garden waste is a separate paid Green Waste Club service.
I Want To… Arun Bin Action Cards
Choose the action closest to your problem. Each card gives the right route first, then links only where you need the official form, calendar or final council rule.
Check my bin day
Use the postcode lookup. It shows future collections, but it does not include collections due today.
Check dateUse food waste
Put food waste in the grey outdoor caddy with orange lid. Remove packaging and plastic first.
Food rulesReport a missed bin
Wait until after 5pm and report within two working days only if the bin was correctly presented.
Report missedBook garden waste
Use the Green Waste Club for brown bin garden waste collections and calendars.
Garden wasteHow to Check Your Arun Bin Collection Day
Do not use a copied calendar screenshot or a neighbour’s routine. Arun’s lookup checks your property, which is safer for flats, new estates, boundary streets and homes with different collection points.
Open Arun’s official lookup
Use the “When are my bins collected” service. It finds the next collection date for your bins, but it does not show collections that are due today.
Enter postcode and property
You need a postcode in the Arun district and your property name or number. Select the exact address, not just the street.
Save three reminders
Save separate reminders for general waste, recycling and food waste. A single “bin day” reminder is how the wrong container gets put out.
Use the Arun app for reminders
The Arun app can help residents receive reminders, search recycling routes, complete Report It forms and request council services.
Arun 2026 Bin Collection Changes: What Actually Changed?
The main change is not just a new bin. Arun moved to weekly food waste collections and fortnightly general waste collections for most households, alongside existing fortnightly dry mixed recycling.
180-litre general waste bin
Most households received a 180-litre black wheeled general waste bin. Arun collects a maximum of one 180-litre or smaller approved wheeled bin every two weeks.
Weekly food waste
Most households use a 23-litre grey outdoor food waste bin with an orange lid, plus a 5-litre indoor kitchen caddy and starter roll of liners.
Recycling remains fortnightly
The dry mixed recycling service continues fortnightly. Clean, dry, loose and squashed recycling is now more important because extra general waste bags are not accepted.
Checklist Before Leaving Bins Out
Run this checklist the evening before collection. It is the fastest way to avoid a failed collection, especially with the new food waste and 180-litre general waste setup.
Bin night checklist
- Collection date checked on Arun’s postcode lookup.
- Correct container placed out, not just “any bin”.
- Rubbish, recycling, food waste or electrical item ready from 7am.
- Bin is near the kerbside where crews can see it.
- Recycling is clean, dry, loose and not in plastic bags.
- General waste is inside the approved 180-litre or smaller wheeled bin.
- No garden waste inside the general waste bin.
- Only one small electrical item is left out if using that route.
Failed visit warnings
Arun says crews will not collect if the bin was not ready from 7am, not visible near the kerbside, recycling has wrong items, recycling is overflowing outside accepted dry side recycling, rubbish is not in an approved wheeled bin, or general waste contains garden waste.
Arun Item Route Helper: Which Bin or Service Should You Use?
Use this quick helper before bin day. It handles the common mistakes that cause non-collection, contamination or wasted space in the 180-litre bin.
Which Arun Bin to Use: Container Guide
Arun households should think in four streams: black general rubbish, green bin with blue lid recycling, grey/orange food waste caddy and paid brown garden waste bin.
| Container | Use it for | Keep out | Collection / action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black 180-litre general waste bin | Non-recyclable household waste such as nappies, sanitary products, polystyrene, crisp packets, animal waste and Pyrex. | Recyclables, food waste, garden waste, electricals, rubble, textiles, carpets, light bulbs and large items. | Collected every two weeks. Extra rubbish outside the approved bin is not collected. |
| Green bin with blue lid | Clean, dry, loose and squashed recycling: paper, card, tins, bottles, jars, cartons, aerosols, trays, tubs and plastic bottles. | Plastic bags, film, batteries, electricals, pet food pouches, tissues, Pyrex, crockery and shredded paper. | Keep recycling loose. Some Arundel residents use recycling sacks and cannot put glass in sacks. |
| Grey caddy with orange lid | Cooked and uncooked food waste including meat, bones, dairy, fruit, vegetables, bread, pasta, rice, tea bags and plate scrapings. | Packaging, oils, liquids, animal waste, bedding, flowers and non-food items. | Weekly collection. Transfer food from kitchen caddy to outside caddy regularly. |
| Brown garden waste bin | Leaves, grass cuttings and hedge or tree cuttings through the Arun Garden Waste Club. | Kitchen waste, soil, hardcore, bricks, concrete, items in bags, animal waste, fallen fruit and thick woody material. | Paid Green Waste Club service collected every two weeks. |
General Waste: 180-Litre Bin and No Extra Bags
Arun’s general waste service is now stricter because it is built around one approved wheeled bin. Use recycling and food waste first, then use general waste for what is left.
Yes for general waste
Animal waste and bedding, plastic bags, polystyrene, Pyrex and mirrors, sanitary products, nappies and crisp packets can go in general rubbish.
No for general waste
Do not add electrical items, recyclable rubbish, garden waste, soil, textiles, rubble, bricks, plaster, tiles, large electricals, light bulbs, carpets or saucepans.
Recycling Bin: Clean, Dry, Loose and Squashed
The blue-lidded recycling bin is where many missed or contaminated collections start. Do not bag recycling. Keep it clean, dry, loose and squashed.
Paper and card
Junk mail, cereal boxes, egg boxes, newspapers, magazines, catalogues, directories and scrunchable wrapping paper.
Metal and cartons
Food and drink cans, pet food cans, empty aerosols, foil trays, tin foil, tins, juice cartons, milk cartons and soup cartons.
Glass and plastic
Bottles, jars, bathroom bottles, laundry bottles, moulded plastic packaging, tubs, trays, food pots and plastic container lids.
Food Waste Caddy: Weekly Collection and Smell Control
The food waste caddy is the easiest way to make a fortnightly 180-litre general waste bin work. It also reduces smells when used correctly.
Food accepted
Meat, bones, fish, shellfish, dairy, cooked and uncooked fruit/vegetables, bread, cakes, pasta, rice, beans and plate scrapings.
Also accepted
Tea bags, coffee grounds, eggshells, solid fats, pet food and mouldy or out-of-date food can go in the food waste caddy.
Keep out
No packaging, oils, liquids, animal waste, bedding, flowers or non-food items. Remove all plastic before disposal.
Flats, Shared Bins and Communal Food Waste
Flats are not always handled like houses. Arun’s 2026 food waste rollout for purpose-built flats is phased, and some blocks may receive shared outdoor food waste bins instead of individual external bins.
Shared bin stores
Some blocks use communal bins for general waste, recycling or food waste. Capacity depends on the building, bin store space and current arrangements.
Every flat resident
Flat residents should receive a 5-litre indoor food caddy, starter liners and guidance. External arrangements may be individual or communal.
If capacity is wrong
If shared bins overflow repeatedly, ask the managing agent or landlord to check Arun’s service arrangements rather than leaving side waste.
Garden Waste: Green Waste Club Costs, Calendar and Rules
Garden waste is not part of the normal black general waste bin. Arun’s garden waste scheme is the Arun Garden Waste Club, run through Biffa / Green Waste Club.
| Garden waste point | Current Arun detail | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| Container | Brown 240-litre garden waste bin. | Use only after joining the scheme. |
| Collection frequency | Collected every 2 weeks. | Check your Green Waste Club calendar. |
| Annual renewal | Arun lists annual subscription renewal at £91.78. | Confirm inside your Green Waste Club account before payment. |
| New subscription | Arun lists £91.78 plus £25 bin supply/delivery. | Register through Green Waste Club or phone 0800 0858 286. |
| Missed garden collection | Arun says missed garden collections can be reported online or by phone on 01903 737500. | Check the GWC calendar first, especially around bank holidays. |
Missed Bin in Arun: Diagnose Before Reporting
Crews have until 5pm to finish collection rounds. Report only after that, and only within two working days of your normal collection day.
New Bin, Replacement Bin or Extra Capacity
Use Arun’s official forms instead of buying a random bin. The 2026 system is built around approved containers and capacity rules.
Set up a service
If you do not currently have rubbish, food waste or recycling collection, use Arun’s new service route.
Lost or damaged recycling bin
If your recycling bin is missing or damaged, use the replacement recycling bin route instead of leaving loose recycling out.
Extra refuse capacity
Arun encourages residents to reduce general waste first, but special circumstances such as households of five or more may qualify for an extra bin.
Bulky Waste: Sofas, Beds, Mattresses, Fridges and Cookers
Large household items should not be left beside normal bins. Arun’s unwanted items service is the proper route for many bulky household items.
Up to eight items
Arun says it can collect up to eight items from homes in the district. The price is explained when you contact the council.
Outside by 7am
Booked items must be outside the building, still within your property boundary, by 7am on collection day.
No surprise extras
Only booked items are collected. Wet, unsafe, too-heavy or extra items may be refused, and crews cannot enter your home.
Recycling Centres, Electricals, Clinical Waste and Sharps
Some items are not normal bin-collection items. Use West Sussex recycling centres, Arun electrical recycling guidance, or clinical waste/sharps collection where required.
Small electrical items
Electrical items should not go in general rubbish. Arun allows small electrical items next to the bin only if they meet size and quantity rules.
Clinical waste and sharps
Sharps, syringes and clinical waste should not go in normal rubbish. Use Arun’s separate clinical waste and sharps guidance.
Household recycling sites
West Sussex recycling centres handle many items not suitable for bins. Some sites require an appointment, so check before loading your car.
Contact Help: What to Say Before You Call or Report
Use this short script so you give the council or Green Waste Club the details they need without going in circles.
Missed bin report script
My address is [full address]. My normal collection day is [day/date]. The missed container is [general waste / recycling / food waste / garden waste]. It was out by 7am, near the kerbside, visible to the crew, and no sticker or note was left. Only my property appears to have been missed.
Garden waste subscription script
I am an Arun resident asking about the Green Waste Club. My postcode is [postcode]. I need help with [new subscription / renewal / missed collection / bin issue / calendar]. Please confirm the current collection calendar and payment or account action.
Local Tips for Arun Bin Days
These are practical habits for coastal streets, flats, shared drives, school-run mornings and narrow residential roads across the Arun district.
Put bins out the night before
Bins and caddies must be ready from 7am. Morning-only reminders are risky if your street is collected early.
Use food waste weekly
Food waste is the simplest way to stop the 180-litre black bin filling too quickly.
Keep recycling loose
Bagged recycling can cause problems. Keep items clean, dry, loose and squashed.
Watch windy coastal roads
Close lids properly and place containers where crews can see them without blocking pavements.
Do not hide bins behind gates
If crews cannot see the bin near the kerbside, it may not qualify as a missed collection.
Use official dates only
This guide explains the process, but your exact collection date must come from Arun’s postcode lookup.
Official Arun Bin Collection Links
Use these links only when you need the live council date, form, rule, calendar, payment route or final verification.
When are my bins collected?
Official postcode lookup for the next Arun collection date.
Check your bin day page
Arun’s collection day search information and mobile app route.
What goes in your bin
Official hub for rubbish, recycling, food waste, garden waste and medical rubbish.
Missed collection
Use after checking the 5pm and two-working-day rules.
Garden waste
Green Waste Club costs, calendar and contact route.
Bulky unwanted items
For sofas, mattresses, fridges, cookers, beds and large household items.
Arun Council Bin Collection FAQs
How do I check my Arun bin collection day?
Use Arun District Council’s official “When are my bins collected” lookup. You need a postcode in the Arun district and your property name or number.
Does the Arun lookup show collections due today?
No. Arun says the lookup finds the next collection date for your bins but does not include collections due to be collected today.
What changed for Arun bin collections in 2026?
Weekly food waste collections began, most homes moved to fortnightly general waste collections using a 180-litre black wheeled bin, and dry mixed recycling remained fortnightly.
What goes in the black general waste bin?
Use it for non-recyclable household waste such as nappies, sanitary products, polystyrene, crisp packets, animal waste, bedding and Pyrex. Do not use it for recycling, garden waste, food waste, electricals, rubble or large items.
What goes in Arun’s green bin with blue lid?
Use it for clean, dry, loose and squashed recycling such as paper, card, cans, bottles, jars, cartons, empty aerosols, tubs, trays and plastic bottles.
What can I put in the grey food waste caddy with orange lid?
Cooked and uncooked food waste can go in, including meat, bones, fish, dairy, fruit, vegetables, bread, pasta, rice, plate scrapings, tea bags, eggshells and out-of-date food.
When can I report a missed bin in Arun?
Wait until after 5pm on collection day. You must report a missed collection within two working days of your normal collection day.
Why was my Arun bin not collected?
Common reasons include the bin not being ready from 7am, not being visible near the kerbside, contaminated recycling, overflowing recycling, extra rubbish outside the approved bin, or garden waste in the general waste bin.
How much is Arun garden waste collection?
Arun lists the Garden Waste Club annual subscription renewal at £91.78. A new annual subscription is listed as £91.78 plus a £25 bin supply and delivery charge.
How do I get rid of a sofa, mattress or fridge in Arun?
Use Arun’s unwanted items service for bulky household items. Items must be booked first and placed outside the building but within your property boundary by 7am on collection day.