Leeds Bin Collection Dates 2026: Check Day & Calendar
Check Leeds bin collection dates for 2026, identify whether the black, green or brown bin is due, fix postcode and shared-bin lookup problems, understand the 6:30am presentation rule, report a missed collection after 5pm, and plan replacement bins, unwanted-item pickups, garden waste and recycling-centre visits without searching across multiple council pages.
How to check your Leeds bin day in 2026
Use the Leeds City Council postcode checker, select the exact house or flat, then read the next date shown beside each available bin. A citywide “Leeds bin day” does not exist because collection rounds differ by address.
Place the correct bin at the recognised collection point by 6:30am. If it remains unemptied, wait until after 5pm before using the missed-bin form.
Find Leeds bin collection dates without choosing the wrong property
Use this process when moving house, renting a student property, managing an HMO, checking a new-build address or correcting an old reminder.
Enter the complete Leeds postcode
Use the postcode from a recent official bill or tenancy document. Search again without extra spaces if the address list does not load.
Start the Leeds postcode searchRead the full address list
Select the exact house number, building or named property. Do not select the nearest visible address merely because the list order looks unusual.
Check every available bin separately
The result may show black general waste, green recycling and brown garden waste on different dates. Selected Wetherby-area trial addresses have additional food-waste instructions.
Save or print the current calendar
Use the page result or Leeds Bins app reminder. Recheck if a date changes, a household moves, or the collection point is altered.
Fix a missing or incorrect address
The official checker provides separate forms for an address that does not display and collection dates that are missing or incorrect. Report the record problem instead of borrowing a neighbour’s schedule.
Prepare the bin before 6:30am
Close the lid, remove prohibited or oversized material and use the normal collection point. Bring the bin back onto the property after it has been emptied.
Christmas and New Year: Leeds normally publishes special festive arrangements closer to December. Do not project an ordinary fortnightly pattern across late December; use the live address checker or app when the 2026 changes are published.
Which Leeds bin is due this week?
Many wheeled-bin households alternate black general waste and green recycling, while eligible brown garden bins follow a separate fortnightly seasonal schedule. Your address result always overrides a general pattern.
| Service | Typical role | 2026 pattern | Main caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bin | General household waste that cannot be recycled. | Use the property calendar; commonly alternates with green recycling. | Lid closed. Extra bags beside or on the bin are not normally collected. |
| Green bin | Clean, dry mixed recycling including glass and many flexible plastics. | Use the property calendar; commonly alternates with black waste. | No black plastic, electricals, food, garden waste or shredded paper. |
| Brown bin | Loose garden waste for eligible properties. | Fortnightly seasonal service restarted on 23 March 2026. | No ordinary food waste except selected households in the 2026 trial. |
| Wetherby-area trial | Food and garden waste together in the brown bin. | Fortnightly throughout 2026 for notified participating addresses. | Only use this route after receiving the council letter and caddy. |
| Bag collection | Alternative arrangement where wheeled bins are not used. | Follow the address-specific schedule. | Use only the supplied/approved bag arrangement and collection point. |
Normal bank holidays
Do not assume a change or no change. The address checker is the safest source because special operational arrangements can be issued.
Christmas period
Late-December and early-January collections can move to earlier, later or Sunday dates. Check again close to the holiday.
Severe weather
Ice, snow, flooding and inaccessible streets can interrupt rounds. Follow a dated Leeds Council update rather than the ordinary calendar.
Different crews
Brown, black and green collections can be completed at different times. One emptied bin does not automatically mean another has been missed.
Save a Leeds bin date and project the next collections
Enter one date already confirmed by Leeds City Council. This tool stores the reminder in this browser, calculates planning dates and creates a calendar file. It cannot see live council changes.
Build my collection reminder
My Leeds planning board
No date saved. Confirm the address and date first.
Planning dates are estimates based on the interval you choose. Bank holidays, winter brown-bin pauses, trial arrangements and service disruption can invalidate a projection.
Use reminders without losing the official address result
The council links to the Leeds Bins app for collection dates and reminders. It is useful for repeat checks, but shared-bin flats can require a different approach.
Standard houses
Enter the exact property, review black, green and brown dates and choose a reminder time that gives enough time to present bins before 6:30am.
Shared-bin flats
App-store guidance warns that date searches may not work for flats with shared bins. Check labels in the bin store and ask the managing agent or council if no property result appears.
New-build homes
If the address is absent, report it through the checker’s “address not displaying” route. Developers and landlords may also need to arrange the first full set of bins.
Old reminder differs
Delete the stale reminder, reselect the property and save the new council-confirmed date. Route changes can make an old recurring calendar wrong.
What goes in each Leeds bin?
Leeds accepts more flexible plastic and glass in the green bin than many UK councils. Use the local Leeds rules rather than relying on packaging colour or guidance from another council.
Black general waste
Use for: ordinary household rubbish that cannot be reused or recycled.
- Keep all waste inside the bin
- Close the lid completely
- Reduce black-bin waste by using green recycling
Keep out: batteries, gas bottles, paint, rubble, soil, large branches, vehicle parts, needles and medicines.
Green mixed recycling
Clean and dry:
- Paper, card, cartons and Tetra Paks
- Glass bottles and jars
- Metal cans, foil and aerosols
- Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays
- Carrier bags, cling film, bubble wrap and stretchy plastic film
Keep out: black plastic, black sacks, compostable plastic, drinking glasses, electricals, food, garden waste, bulbs, polystyrene, shredded paper and wood.
Brown garden waste
Place loose inside:
- Flowers and plants
- Grass and hedge clippings
- Leaves and windfall fruit
- Twigs/branches no thicker than 3cm
Keep out: bags, food, pet waste, soil, compost, rubble, thick branches and listed invasive plants. Trial households follow their separate food-waste instructions.
Extra green recycling: Leeds says clean extra recycling can be left in a clear or green plastic bag beside the green bin on collection day. This exception does not allow ordinary black-bin side waste.
Which bin or service should I use?
Choose a common item for a quick Leeds-specific route. Hazardous, unusual or changing materials should be confirmed in the council A–Z.
Select a household item
Result: Select an item.
Five-second sorting test
- Clean, dry packaging: usually green bin if listed.
- Ordinary non-recyclable rubbish: black bin.
- Loose garden material: brown bin if eligible.
- Reusable furniture: donate or sell before disposal.
- Hazardous, electrical or DIY waste: separate service or recycling centre.
Wait, correct the problem or submit a report?
A bin left outside at midday is not yet a confirmed miss. Leeds asks residents to wait until after 5pm and says every bin must be ready by 6:30am.
| Situation | Likely explanation | Best next action |
|---|---|---|
| It is before 5pm | The round may still be operating. | Leave the correctly presented bin out and wait. |
| Bin went out after 6:30am | The crew may already have passed. | Prepare it earlier on the next listed date. |
| Lid open or waste beside black bin | Overfilled or side waste may not be collected. | Reduce the waste and close the lid. |
| Wrong material in green/brown bin | Contamination or excess weight can prevent emptying. | Remove the rejected material before the next date. |
| Road or collection point inaccessible | Parked vehicles, works, locked gates or ice may stop the vehicle/crew. | Correct access where possible and follow any disruption update. |
| Correct date, ready by 6:30am, still unemptied after 5pm | This is the strongest genuine-miss scenario. | Use the official form each time so the service can investigate. |
Missed-bin diagnosis
Result: Select the closest situation.
Prepare the report
- Full address and postcode
- Scheduled date and bin colour
- Confirmation it was out by 6:30am
- Whether the lid was closed
- Any sticker, tag or contamination note
- Access, weather or road problem
- Previous report reference if repeated
Repeated misses: submit the form each time, keep dates and references, and separately report a crew incident or property damage through the appropriate Leeds Council route.
Leeds replacement-bin prices and delivery rules
The container is supplied free, but an administration charge applies to some household requests. Green recycling replacements are currently free.
| Container/request | Current charge or limit | Practical guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Standard black bin | £30 administration charge. | Lost, stolen or resident-damaged bins normally require payment. |
| Small black bin | £24 administration charge. | Order the size appropriate to the property arrangement. |
| Black hand bin | £18 for bag-collection properties. | Use only where this collection type applies. |
| Brown bin | £30; limited to one per eligible household. | Not every Leeds property is on a brown-bin route. |
| Green recycling bin | Free replacement. | A second free green bin may be considered based on need and recycling commitment. |
| Extra black capacity | Eligibility assessment; maximum two for qualifying households. | Household size and additional waste needs are considered. |
| Delivery target | Eligible household orders aim for delivery within 18 working days. | New-build deliveries can take up to six weeks. |
Bin fell into the wagon
Email bin.deliveries@leeds.gov.uk with your name, address, contact details and what happened. The council can investigate.
Waiting for black or green bin
Up to four bags can be presented on the due date while waiting, kept on the property until 6:30am that morning.
Waiting for brown bin
Do not present garden-waste bags. Take garden waste to a Leeds household recycling centre instead.
Benefits support
Some Housing Benefit or Universal Credit recipients may qualify for a free replacement. Call 0113 222 4406 with the benefit number.
Different Leeds property arrangements explained
Assisted collection
A free assisted service is available for residents who struggle to present bins. It is intended for genuine need, including frailty, disability or incapacity where no able household member can help.
Communal-bin flats
Follow the signs in the bin store, flatten cardboard and keep bulky waste outside communal bins. Ask the managing agent where the council collection point is.
Student and HMO households
Agree a bin-night rota, label indoor recycling, do not leave moving-out waste on the pavement and arrange unwanted-item collection before tenancy-end demand peaks.
Landlords and agents
They must ensure rented properties have the correct set of bins and tenants know how to use and present them. Landlord/business waste cannot use the resident bulky service.
Narrow streets and back-to-backs
Use the established collection point and keep access clear. Do not create a new pavement location because neighbouring bins appear there.
Bag collection homes
Follow the specific bag limit and placement rules. Replacement bags can be requested through the collection-crew form when needed.
Garden-waste dates, winter pause and Wetherby food-waste trial
The standard free brown-bin service restarted on Monday 23 March 2026 for eligible properties. Exact dates and the final autumn collection depend on the address calendar.
| Household type | What belongs in brown bin | 2026 service rule |
|---|---|---|
| Standard brown-bin route | Flowers, plants, grass, hedge clippings, leaves, windfall fruit, twigs and branches up to 3cm thick. | Fortnightly seasonal service; restarted 23 March 2026 and normally pauses over winter. |
| Selected Wetherby-area trial | Garden waste plus cooked/raw food, plate scrapings, meat, bones, fish, dairy, tea bags, coffee, bread, rice, pasta, fruit and vegetables. | Fortnightly throughout 2026 after the household receives a council letter and kitchen caddy. |
| No brown-bin service | Eligible garden material can be double-bagged for a booked one-off collection. | Up to four items or four lots may be booked; terms apply. |
| Extra garden waste | Material that does not fit safely in the single brown bin. | Use home composting or take it free to a Leeds household recycling centre. |
Food-waste warning: most Leeds households must not place food in the brown bin. Only notified trial addresses in Wetherby, Collingham, Boston Spa, Thorp Arch, Clifford, Bramham and Walton should follow the combined food-and-garden instructions.
Heavy brown bins: soil, compost and rubble are prohibited and can make the bin unsafe to lift. If the bin is too heavy, lighten it before the next collection.
Leeds bulky-waste collection: free allowance, £30 bookings and item limits
Private households can book up to five items per collection and a maximum of four collections per financial year. The first standard collection is free; up to three more cost £30 each.
| Booking rule | Leeds position | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| Annual allowance | One free collection per household from April to March. | Use it for items that cannot be donated or transported. |
| Additional collections | Three more at £30 each; four total per year. | Pay by card and keep the reference. |
| Item limit | Up to five items per collection. | Count dismantled components separately. |
| Council Tax Support | Up to four free collections per year. | Have the council-tax account number ready. |
| Collection window | Any time from 7am to 5pm. | Place dry, safe items outside within the property boundary before 7am. |
| Changes/cancellation | Changes need seven working days; cancellation up to 48 hours before. | Keep the original booking reference. |
Items commonly accepted
- TVs, microwaves, lawn mowers and cookers
- Fridges/freezers under 6ft by 4ft with food removed
- Washing machines, dryers and dishwashers
- Chairs, sofas, tables, sideboards and mattresses
- Dismantled wardrobes and beds
- Manageable carpets, underlay, bundled wood and branches
Items not collected
- Bathroom suites and kitchen units
- Rubble, boilers, radiators and car parts
- Gas bottles, chemicals, paint and asbestos
- Mirrors, windows, fish tanks and fluorescent lights
- Pianos, organs, hot tubs and oversized items
- General waste that belongs in black/green bins
Preparation matters: dismantle where required, remove nails and screws, tape loose doors/wires, protect remaining glass with cardboard, keep absorbent items dry and ensure two people could move each item safely.
Opening times, permits, DIY limits and nearest-site planning
Leeds has eight household waste recycling centres. Residents may visit by car or bicycle; vans, larger vehicles and trailers require the correct permit.
Kirkstall recycling centre
Address: Evanston Avenue, Kirkstall, Leeds, LS4 2HR
- 30 March–25 October 2026: 8am–6pm
- 26 October 2026–28 March 2027: 8am–4pm
- Last entry 15 minutes before closing
- Open seven days
- Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
- Leeds residents and household waste only
| Visit issue | Rule | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Resident access | Only Leeds City Council residents disposing of household waste. | Bring proof/details if requested and do not carry landlord or business waste. |
| Van, trailer or large vehicle | Permit required; oversized/high-roof vehicles may be excluded. | Apply before travel and check vehicle weight/size. |
| DIY waste | Small household quantities are free within limits: up to four visits a month and specified quantities. | Separate rubble, soil, ceramics, plasterboard and tyres. |
| Pedestrian visit | Sites are working areas; pedestrians are generally not admitted. | Use a bicycle where accepted, local recycling bank or unwanted-item collection. |
| Trade/landlord waste | Not accepted as free household waste. | Use a licensed waste carrier, skip or paid transfer station. |
| Asbestos | Special appointment/route applies, including Kirkstall instructions. | Do not transport until the official procedure is understood. |
Middleton temporary restriction: the current council page says DIY waste is temporarily not accepted at Middleton. Use another Leeds recycling centre and verify before loading the vehicle.
See what Leeds accepts in the green recycling bin
Making recycling simple
This official Leeds City Council animation supports the written green-bin list and is especially useful because Leeds accepts glass, carrier bags and several flexible plastic films that residents may not expect.
No VideoObject schema is included because a complete verified upload timestamp and thumbnail dataset were not used.
Batteries, medicines, needles, paint and private collections
Batteries and vapes
Never hide them in black or green bins. They can cause fires in collection vehicles and processing facilities. Use a retailer take-back point or suitable recycling location.
Medicines
Return unused or out-of-date tablets, liquids, creams and inhalers to a community pharmacy rather than placing them in household bins.
Needles and medical waste
Do not place sharps loose in any bin. Use the Leeds medical-waste or approved sharps route arranged through the appropriate service.
Paint, chemicals and gas bottles
Keep these out of the black bin. Check the waste A–Z and recycling-centre restrictions before transport.
Private waste carrier
Use a registered, responsible carrier and keep a receipt. Household residents retain a duty of care and can be affected if their waste is fly-tipped.
Landlord or trade waste
Waste from rented-property clearance, tradespeople or business activity is not ordinary household waste and needs a commercial route.
Leeds waste services in one place
Useful Leeds contact details
Waste email: leeds.waste@leeds.gov.uk
Bin deliveries: bin.deliveries@leeds.gov.uk
Waste/benefit-support phone: 0113 222 4406
Information reviewed: 27 June 2026. Exact property dates, late-year festive changes, temporary site restrictions, charges and booking slots can change. Use the linked official service only for the final live lookup, application, report, booking or payment.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my Leeds bin collection date for 2026?
Enter the full postcode on Leeds City Council’s bin-day checker, select the exact property and read the date shown beside each available bin. Do not rely only on a neighbour’s schedule.
What time should bins be put out in Leeds?
Leeds says all bins must be ready by 6:30am when collections start. Use the recognised collection point, close the lid and keep vehicle and crew access clear.
When can I report a missed bin in Leeds?
Wait until after 5pm on the scheduled collection day. If the date, presentation time, contents, lid and access were all correct, use the official missed-bin form.
Can glass go in the Leeds green bin?
Yes. Clean glass bottles and jars are accepted. Drinking glasses, light bulbs and unsuitable glass items should use the A–Z disposal route instead.
Can plastic bags and film go in the Leeds green bin?
Leeds accepts listed carrier bags, cling film, bubble wrap, stretchy bags and wrapping, and certain clean plastic pouches. Black sacks, black plastic and compostable or biodegradable plastics are not accepted.
Can I leave extra recycling beside my green bin?
Yes. Leeds says extra clean recycling can be placed in a clear or green plastic bag beside the green bin on collection day.
When did Leeds brown-bin collections restart in 2026?
The standard seasonal garden-waste service restarted on Monday 23 March 2026. Use the address checker for the exact fortnightly date and final collection before the winter pause.
Can food waste go in a Leeds brown bin?
Only selected notified households in the 2026 Wetherby-area trial should place food and garden waste together. Standard brown-bin households must keep food waste out.
How much is a replacement bin in Leeds?
The current administration charges are £30 for a standard black bin, £24 for a small black bin, £18 for a black hand bin and £30 for an eligible brown bin. Green recycling-bin replacements are free.
How much is Leeds bulky-waste collection?
Each private household receives one free unwanted-item collection per financial year. Up to three additional collections cost £30 each, with a maximum of five items per collection.
What are Leeds recycling-centre opening times in 2026?
Individual site pages list 8am–6pm from 30 March to 25 October 2026 and 8am–4pm from 26 October 2026 to 28 March 2027, with last entry 15 minutes before closing. Check the chosen site before travel.
Do I need a permit for a Leeds tip?
Cars generally do not need the commercial-vehicle permit, but vans, larger vehicles and trailers require the appropriate permit. Size, weight and household-use restrictions apply.
Can Leeds help me put my bins out?
A free assisted collection can be requested where a resident genuinely cannot present bins and no able household member can help. Apply through the official Leeds bins service forms.
Why does the Leeds Bins app not find my flat?
The app may not return dates for flats with shared communal bins. Check the bin-store labels and ask the managing agent or council to confirm the building’s collection arrangement.