How to dispose of rubbish in Lewisham

14 March 2022

The ultimate how to dispose of rubbish in Lewisham guide! Whether you live in Brockley, Catford, Deptford, Forest Hill, Sydenham, Manor or Blackheath, we look at how best to dispose of rubbish or bulky junk (e.g. fridge, sofa, builders waste, mattress, rubble). We discuss which solutions are best for different types of junk, including the best value for money and the most eco-friendly options if you live in the Lewisham area. Key sections are:

Reuse options
Council bulky waste collection service in Lewisham
Man & van - with examples and prices
Skip hire providers, skip hire prices and local skip permit fees
HWRCs / tips / civic amenity sites for Lewisham residents

1. Reuse options in Lewisham

So, let's get started! Unless the item is beyond saving, the most cost-efficient and most eco-friendly way to dispose of something is to donate it for reuse. You can either give your stuff to someone within your network for free. Or, you can find a local reuse charity. These charities will either give the items to someone in need or alternatively sell them and use the proceeds for their charitable cause. Also, it's important to remember that if you want to donate upholstered furniture to a charity, the item will need a fire safety certificate.

Donate to an Individual

Assuming no one wants what you are trying to get rid of, the simplest way to donate the item is to list it on LoveJunk and tick the 'reusable' box. This notifies reusers based in or around your location that you have something to giveaway. This process is free and super easy.

Charities and organisations for Reuse in Lewisham

Below is a list of local Lewisham reuse charities within Brockley, Catford, Deptford, Forest Hill, Sydenham, Manor or Blackheath. These organisations collect furniture and large working appliances for free. It's important to note that response times and service levels may vary for these organisations.

Reuse Orgs	Address
Lewisham Donation Hub	Unit D, Place Ladywell, 261 Lewisham High, SE13 6AY
BHF	209–211 Lewisham High Street, Lewisham SE13 6LY
Emmaus	226 Elmley Street, Plumstead, London, SE18 7NN
DAGE	71 Deptford High Street, London SE8 4AA
TRAID	41-43 Lewis Grove, London SE13 6BG
Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice RePurpose	Magpie House, 5 Magpie Ln, London SE28 0FP
Catbytes Digital Community	Ewart Road Clubhouse, 44 Wastdale Rd, London SE23 1HN
Lewisham Donation Hub	Unit D, Place Ladywell, 261 Lewisham High St, London SE13 6AY

2. Council bulky item collection service in Lewisham

Ealing council offers residents a collection service for bulky items. However, the service is not available to local businesses or tradespeople. Regarding the full details of Ealing's bulky waste collection service, including how to book, please see below.

Cost of Lewisham council bulky waste collection service

Charges for Lewisham council bulky waste collection service:

£20.00 to collect 1 - 4 items
£30.00 per fridge/freezer

Additional information:

Response time: typical wait times are 2 - 3 weeks
Concessions: no concessions available
Appliances: will collect appliances
DIY/ home improvement waste: DIY waste is not accepted
Garden waste: garden waste collections are not accepted

More details: despite this comprehensive list, for full details of Lewisham's bulky waste collection service, click here

3. Use a private licensed man & van waste collectors

If you can't use the council bulky waste collection service or donate your item, you will most likely need a licensed man & van rubbish collector.

The main differences between man and van waste collectors and the council's bulky collection service are the following three points. Firstly, speed is a significant factor. A private man and van waste collector can respond much faster than the council. Secondly is labour, as collectors will collect from inside or outside the home whereas the council only pick up from inside. Lastly, the types of waste accepted, as private waste collectors can take all kinds of junk, including rubble and garden waste.

You must check that a private waste collector is Environment Agency licensed and holds valid public liability insurance. Avoid cowboy operators who just pocket the profit and fly tip your waste!

Cheapest bulky waste collector in Lewisham

Find a local, fully licensed and insured business using LoveJunk, the waste removal and junk reuse marketplace. We not only guarantee that all collectors are correctly licensed and insured, we also provide full details of where your waste ends up and how much of it avoids going to landfills. That is why we are recommended so widely by councils. Just upload a photo of your waste and receive no obligation quotes. Choose the best price and that's it! Fast, easy and better for the environment.

4. How to dispose of rubbish in Lewisham with Skip Hire

Another means of Lewisham rubbish clearance is skip hire. Skips are helpful if, for example, you have lots of cumbersome, messy waste and would like to contain it all in one place. But, unlike a man & van collection, you need to load the skip yourself, and the price is fixed regardless of how much you fill it. Skip hire is also significantly more expensive than using a man & van waste collector because of the permits and license fees on top. For a look at skip hire in greater detail, please read our Ultimate Guide to Skip Hire for more information.

Lewisham skip hire companies

In general, it is good to use a licensed skip hire company that serves your local area. Here are some of the local skip hire companies within the borough of Lewisham.

RMSSkips

Norris Skips

Lawson Skip Hire

Skip Hire Brockley

Skip hire prices in Lewisham

Below you'll find the typical skip hire prices (including VAT) for mixed general waste in Lewisham but to clarify, these figures do not include skip permits or parking bay suspension fees.

Builder skip: 6 – 8 cubic yard skip @ £265 - £300

Maxi skip: 10 - 12 cubic yard skip @ £345 - £370

Skip Permits and Bay Suspensions

If you want to place a skip on the road, you will definitely need a skip permit license and possibly a CPZ parking suspension. For more information regarding skip permits, take a look at our Guide to Skip Permits and Bay Suspensions.

Skip License Lewisham: £66.00 per month

CPZ Bay Suspension: £50.00 per day

Here is a link to the Lewisham council website for skip permits: https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/parking/carparks/temporary-suspension-of-parking-bays

6. Lewisham Recycling Centre

If you have means of transport (and the muscle!), a cheap way to dispose of your bulky waste is by taking your junk to your local council tip. However, council tips are only available to residents, not businesses. Below is a map of the council tip in the Lewisham and some extra useful info.

A map of Lewisham tips

Household waste recycling centre for Lewisham residents:

Lewisham Reuse and Recycling Centre, Landmann Way, London, SE14 5RS
Hours for vans, pedestrians & bikes: Sunday–Friday, 8am–3pm. Saturday, 8am–11am.
Hours for cars: Sunday–Friday, 8am-3.30pm. Saturday, 8am-11.30am

Useful additional info:

Booking: Prior booking must be made to enter the site
Photo identification: Visitors must provide a form of photo ID and proof of address like a council tax letter, recent utility bill or bank statement
Unloading: Site staff cannot help overall unless you have proof of a disability
Cars: Booking times for cars between 10 am and 4 pm each day
Vans: Only 4 visits a year allowed
Rules: Trailers not allowed

Finally,

Thanks for reading! We hope you found our How to Dispose of Rubbish in Lewisham guide useful. You might also like:

How to Dispose of Rubbish - a comprehensive guide to rubbish clearance

Junk Diaries