Central Bedfordshire Council provides waste collection services to approximately 140,000 households across its large unitary authority area, covering Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Flitwick, Ampthill, Sandy, Shefford and Stotfold.
General waste (black wheelie bin) and recycling (blue bin) are collected fortnightly on alternate weeks — they are never collected on the same day. Check your schedule below to see which week applies to your address.
The blue recycling bin accepts paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, tubs and trays, and food and drink tins and cans. All items should be clean, dry and loose — not in bags.
Food waste is collected weekly in a small caddy. All cooked and uncooked food waste is accepted, including meat, fish, dairy, bread, fruit and vegetable peelings. Use the supplied caddy liners where possible.
Garden waste is collected fortnightly as a paid subscription service. The green bin accepts grass cuttings, leaves, hedge trimmings, weeds and small branches. Only properties that have subscribed will have their green bin collected. Visit centralbedfordshire.gov.uk to subscribe or check your subscription status.
If your bin is missed, report it online at centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 8302. Bins should be placed at the kerbside by 7 am on your collection day.
Household Waste Recycling Centres are located at Dunstable, Elstow (Bedford), Leighton Buzzard, Thorn Turn and Wixams — check the council website for current opening hours.
Collection frequency: Fortnightly (general waste and recycling alternate). Food waste weekly. Garden waste fortnightly (paid subscription).
Collection frequency: Fortnightly (general waste and recycling alternate). Food waste weekly. Garden waste fortnightly (paid subscription).
Commonly searched postcodes in Central Bedfordshire Council
Bin types in Central Bedfordshire Council
General Waste
Black wheelie bin (240L)
Non-recyclable household waste
Recycling
Blue bin (240L)
Paper, card, glass, plastic bottles, tubs, tins and cans
Food Waste
Food waste caddy (23L)
All cooked and uncooked food waste including meat, fish and dairy
Garden Waste
Green bin (subscription)
Grass cuttings, leaves, hedge trimmings, weeds and small branches (paid subscription)
Areas we cover in Central Bedfordshire Council
SG5
Shefford & Henlow
SG15
Arlesey & Stotfold
SG16
Henlow & Langford
SG17
Shefford & Campton
SG18
Biggleswade
SG19
Sandy & Potton
LU5
Dunstable & Houghton Regis
LU6
Dunstable South
LU7
Leighton Buzzard & Heath and Reach
MK17
Woburn & Aspley Guise
MK43
Marston Moretaine & Cranfield
MK45
Flitwick & Ampthill
AL5
Harpenden (part)
...and all other Central Bedfordshire Council postcodes. Enter yours above to check your dates.
💡 Looking for your Central Bedfordshire Council bin collection dates? Enter your full postcode in the search box above — we'll show your exact collection schedule including general waste, recycling and garden waste dates.