Tunbridge Wells Bin Collection Days and Waste Guide: Bins, Garden Waste and Recycling Centre

Waste and recycling in the Tunbridge Wells borough is split between the borough council, which collects from your home, and Kent County Council, which runs the household waste recycling centre at North Farm. This guide explains how to find your bin day, what goes in each container, how the garden waste subscription and bulky waste bookings work, and where to take what will not fit in a bin. It draws on the councils' own pages, and because collection details and prices change, check the links before you act. This is an independent local guide, not an official council service.

How do I check my bin collection day?

Use the council's check your bin collection day service. You enter your full address and see every collection service available at your property. The checker only works for homes registered for council tax in the borough, so if you have moved into a new build you need to register with the council tax team and confirm your occupation date first. Collections will not show until the property has been officially added. If crews are delayed, the bin collections update page carries the notices, and at the time of writing (September 2026) it reports no delays or changes.

What goes in which bin?

The council collects food waste every week, and recycling and household rubbish on alternating fortnightly weeks. The food waste page says cooked and raw leftovers, including meat, fish, bones, bread, rice, pasta, tea bags and pet food, go in the outside food bin via your kitchen caddy. Packaging, liquids, oil and plastic bags do not.

Your brown recycling bin takes glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays (not black plastic), food tins, cans, empty aerosols, foil and Tetra Pak cartons, rinsed and loose. It does not take plastic bags, cling film, crisp packets, paper or cardboard. Paper and cardboard go in the green box instead, including newspapers, magazines, envelopes and cereal boxes, with large flattened boxes placed beside it. Padded envelopes and food and drink cartons are not accepted there.

The green refuse bin is for what cannot be recycled or composted: polystyrene, crisp packets, black plastic trays, nappies and bagged pet waste. The council empties one refuse bin per property, and rubble, paint, wood, mattresses, vapes and electrical items are excluded.

The additional items page explains the extras. A carrier-bag-sized amount of textiles and small broken electricals (kettles, toasters, hairdryers, chargers) can be set beside your refuse bin on refuse week, and household batteries go in a small bag on top of your recycling bin on recycling week. Vape batteries, industrial and car batteries are not accepted and should go to the recycling centre. The council also warns that batteries must never go loose in or inside bins because crushed batteries can cause fires.

How does the garden waste service work?

Garden waste is an opt-in subscription. According to the garden waste sign-up page, it costs £70 per container, and if you sign up on or before the 14th of the month the service starts on the first Monday of the following month. The frequently asked questions add that the price applies to subscriptions starting or renewing on or after 1 April 2026, and no concessions are available. You get fortnightly collections, 26 a year, in a 240 litre black bin that stays the council's property, and you can have up to three bins per property. Homes unsuitable for wheeled bins can take the same subscription with three reusable 90 litre hessian sacks. Direct Debit customers are renewed automatically, while card customers must renew and pay again. If you move within the borough, call 01892 554426, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm; if you move out, the service is cancelled and no refund is made. Without a subscription, garden waste can be composted at home or taken to North Farm.

How do I get rid of bulky items?

The bulky or electrical item booking page says a standard collection costs £70 per slot, with a maximum of four items. Eligible residents receiving Band 1 Council Tax Reduction Scheme support (working age) or any such support (non-working age) can book an affordable collection for a £10 processing charge, once every 90 days. At the time of writing, fridge and freezer collections are suspended because of a national issue, and the council suggests asking the supplier to remove an old appliance when you buy a new one. Kent County Council's HWRC page also asks people to hold on to a safe fridge or freezer a little longer if they can.

Where is the household waste recycling centre?

The borough's recycling centre page gives the address as North Farm Lane, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 3EE, with the public entrance on North Farm Lane. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 8am to 4.30pm, and Sunday and bank holidays, 9am to 4pm. You must book a slot in advance. Kent County Council's booking page says you can book for the same day or up to two weeks ahead, bring your booking reference, and call 03000 41 73 73, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, if you cannot use the online system. The booking system changes, so rely on KCC's page for the latest window.

The charges page says DIY waste is free up to four visits in four weeks, with one large item or two standard black bags per visit. Beyond that, DIY waste is £5 per item or bag and plasterboard £7.50 per sheet or bag. Tyres cost £3 each, up to five a day, and non-Kent residents pay £10 per visit. Payment is by card only. The centre does not accept business waste, clinical waste, household chemicals, pesticides or petrol.

What if my bin is missed or damaged?

Report a miss through the missed bin page. The council will not return if the bin held something it should not, was in the wrong place, was too heavy or damaged, was not out by 7am, or was not reported within two days of collection. Crews work until 5pm, so check late in the day before reporting. For damaged, missing or unwanted bins, use the order new or replacement bins page. Requests for a different size go to depot@tunbridgewells.gov.uk with your address, household size and reason.

How do I contact the council about waste?

The contact us page lists info@tunbridgewells.gov.uk and 01892 526121 for waste questions, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Quick answers

Food waste goes out weekly, with recycling and refuse on alternating weeks. Garden waste is £70 a container. A bulky collection is £70 per slot, up to four items. The recycling centre is at North Farm Lane, TN2 3EE, and needs a booked slot. Report missed bins within two days.

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