Recycling rules for Dartford
Based on Dartford published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Under Simpler Recycling, councils across England are standardising collections. Here's what currently goes in each bin in Dartford.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Dartford
Polystyrene: Not accepted in Dartford's recycling bin
Cannot be recycled.
Cardboard: Goes in your recycling bin
Please flatten boxes.
Food waste: Dartford has a separate food waste collection
Takes uneaten food, peelings and plate scrapings, out-of-date or mouldy food, raw and cooked meat and fish, including bones and more.
Your bins in Dartford, by colour
Container colours as published by Dartford. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
Green bin
household waste that cannot be recycled
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
The following items can go into your grey recycling bin::
- Paper (including shredded) · Newspapers, magazines, catalogues, envelopes
- Cardboard · Please flatten boxes
- Household metal · Empty aerosol cans, food and drinks cans, foil
- Plastic bottles · Remove spray or push top lids
- Plastic pots, tubs and trays
Not accepted
- Food waste · Cannot be recycled
- Pizza boxes · Cannot be recycled
- Crisp packets · Cannot be recycled
- Polystyrene · Cannot be recycled
- Plant pots · Cannot be recycled
- Black sacks · Marked as contaminated
Food Waste
Accepted
Please put the following items in your food waste bin::
- Uneaten food, peelings and plate scrapings
- Out-of-date or mouldy food
- Raw and cooked meat and fish, including bones
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Dairy products, cheese, eggs, eggshells and yoghurt
- Rice, pasta and beans
- Raw and cooked vegetables, fruit and peelings
- Pet food, including meat and biscuits
Not accepted
Please don't put the following items in your food waste bin::
- Packaging of any kind
- Liquids such as milk or juice
- Oils or liquid fat
- Pet bedding, cat litter or faeces
- Plastic bags
Garden Waste
Accepted
- Grass cuttings
- Dead flowers
- Weeds
- Leaves
- Hedge trimmings
- Small branches · Less than 50mm
Not accepted
- Soil, stone and gravel
- Turf
- Wood and logs
- Christmas trees · Not included in subscription
When are bins collected in Dartford?
This page covers what goes in each bin. Collection days are set by the council and vary by street. See how to find your bin collection day, or browse streets by postcode to see schedules your neighbours have added.
Bank holidays, in Dartford’s own words: “The online bin collection tool takes account of changes for bank holidays, but you can view the changes below.” See the council’s page →
No streets in Dartford on BinBosh yet — be the first to add yours, and your neighbours can adopt it instead of setting up their own.
Frequently asked questions
What bin does polystyrene go in Dartford?
In Dartford, polystyrene can't go in your recycling bin. Cannot be recycled.
What bin does cardboard go in Dartford?
In Dartford, cardboard goes in your recycling bin. Please flatten boxes.
What bin does food waste go in Dartford?
In Dartford, food waste goes in your food waste bin. It takes uneaten food, peelings and plate scrapings, out-of-date or mouldy food, raw and cooked meat and fish, including bones and more.
What goes in the recycling bin in Dartford?
Dartford's recycling bin accepts paper (including shredded), cardboard, household metal, plastic bottles, plastic pots, tubs and trays, and more. Newspapers, magazines, catalogues, envelopes.
What goes in the food waste bin in Dartford?
Dartford's food waste bin accepts uneaten food, peelings and plate scrapings, out-of-date or mouldy food, raw and cooked meat and fish, including bones, tea bags and coffee grounds, dairy products, cheese, eggs, eggshells and yoghurt, rice, pasta and beans, and more.
What goes in the garden waste bin in Dartford?
Dartford's garden waste bin accepts grass cuttings, dead flowers, weeds, leaves, hedge trimmings, small branches, and more. Less than 50mm.
What can't be recycled in Dartford?
Items not accepted in Dartford: food waste, pizza boxes, crisp packets, polystyrene. Food waste — cannot be recycled.
What bin do pizza boxes go in Dartford?
In Dartford, pizza boxes can't go in your recycling bin. Cannot be recycled.
Helpful guides
Source: Dartford council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
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