BinMate
Your council’s address lookup is the best starting point for an online bin calendar. Use the GOV.UK collection finder, then select your full address on the council service.
Check the address and waste type
Postcodes can contain several buildings or collection arrangements. Choose the right house or flat, then check each stream: general waste, recycling, food and any garden subscription. For communal bins, the building manager may hold the relevant collection information.
Look for service alerts alongside the calendar. Roadworks, weather or operational problems may be announced separately. Do not rely on the first dated PDF returned by a search engine.
Three calendar formats
| Format | What happens after a schedule change? |
|---|---|
| Webpage showing your next collections | Reopen it to see the service’s current information |
| Downloaded or printed PDF | Your saved copy stays the same; download a replacement if updated |
| Subscribed calendar feed | Updates depend on the provider publishing changes and your calendar refreshing |
A one-off calendar import is not necessarily a subscription. If the council offers an ICS file or calendar link, read whether it is a download or an updating feed. Not every council offers either.
Save a useful copy
For a PDF, use your browser’s download or sharing options and save it somewhere you can find, such as Files. A screenshot may save to Photos, but check that every relevant date and waste type is visible. Name a saved file with the address reference you use privately and the covered year; do not share your household details publicly.
If printing, keep the council URL and date range on the page. Marking the wrong alternating week can be harder to spot than using the wrong weekday.
Use reminders without losing the source
Add the confirmed dates to your calendar or use a suitable bin-reminder app. Keep the council source available for checking changes. BinMate provides collection information and reminders for supported addresses; availability and features vary by platform and version.
Check that the app finds your actual address, and compare its saved dates with any revised council timetable. Check our reminder setup guide and bank-holiday guide.
My address is missing. What should I do?
Check spelling, postcode and any flat-number format. For a new property or an unclear communal arrangement, contact the council or building manager. Do not select a nearby house merely to get a calendar.
Can I recover a lost paper calendar?
Look for the current PDF or address lookup first. Ask about an accessible or printed copy if needed. See lost council calendars.
