Medway Council confirms waste and recycling changes from April 2026

Medway Council is making two changes to its waste and recycling services this spring — one modest, one rather more substantial. From 1 April 2026, eligible properties can sign up for up to three additional brown bins under the expanded garden waste subscription scheme. Then, five days later, every flat in Medway gets a new food waste recycling service.

That second change is the one that’ll catch people out. Flats and the landlords who manage them will need to get ready for new collection arrangements, though the council hasn’t yet spelled out exactly how it’ll work day to day. Watch this space.

One thing already in place: if you’re heading to a household waste and recycling centre, you must book a slot before every single visit. No booking, no drop-in. Every trip needs its own reservation, made through the council’s website.

Medway’s wider waste pages also point residents towards a range of online tools — checking collection days, reporting missed collections, ordering recycling bins and bags, arranging bulky waste removal. And for those who’d rather be kept in the loop without going looking, there’s a free Cleaner Medway email newsletter covering waste and recycling updates. The council is also nudging people towards composting and donating reusable items to charity rather than binning them. All very sensible.

Key information

• Garden waste: Eligible properties can subscribe for up to three additional brown bins from 1 April 2026
• Food waste for flats: All flats in Medway receive the new food waste recycling service from 6 April 2026
• Waste centre visits: Book a slot every time before attending a household waste and recycling centre — bookings can be made via Medway Council’s website
• Missed collections and bin orders: Report or request these through Medway Council’s online self-service pages at medway.gov.uk