Keep the city tidy with the best waste-management services in London

We know dealing with waste isn’t exactly a barrel of laughs, but finding the right waste-management service shouldn’t be a rubbish experience either.

With millions of residents and businesses generating tonnes of waste every day, proper waste management is crucial for the sustainability of our city. But with so many options, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff (or, in this case, the recyclables from the landfill fodder)?

That’s where we come in! We’ve sifted through the muck and grime to bring you the crème de la crème of London’s waste disposal scene. 

How much does waste management cost in London?

How we chose

1. Bywaters

Location: Twelvetrees Cres, London E3 3JG, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 20 7001 6000

Operating hours: Open 24 hours

Website 

Bywaters has been in the game for over 70 years. They’re not just removing waste – they’re transforming how we think about waste management. 

One of the things that truly impressed us is their cutting-edge, solar-powered materials recovery facility in Bow, East London. The facility processes thousands of tonnes of waste every year, all with the goal of ensuring zero waste ends up in landfills. 

Their focus on sustainability is also worth mentioning. They’re leading the charge with an electric vehicle fleet and a heavy reliance on renewable energy. It’s a bold move that makes them a green leader in the industry.

When it comes to services, they handle everything from cardboard and glass to hazardous waste. And their Gateway Road facility? It’s a pro at dealing with construction and demolition waste. 

Whether you’re a small café or a large corporation, they tailor their waste management solutions to meet your needs. They’re even open 24 hours, so you can contact them whenever you need assistance. No more waiting until business hours to get things sorted.

Provides an amazing experience during the MRF tour

“Amazing experience with Bywaters during the MRF tour! I Learned so many things about waste management. Their team goes above and beyond to assist and their efforts to contribute to the local community are remarkable!”

Pavlos Lampropoulos, Google Review

Presents information in an interesting and informative manner

A well presented, interesting and informative website. The information was easy to read, digest and understand. The facts and figures were particularly interesting and useful as I can pass onto others when in discussion about environmental issues. A great website experience!

Brian Simpson, Google Review

2. London City Waste Clearance

Location: 56 Chamber St, London E1 8BL, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 20 8558 1782

Operating hours: O

• Monday to Thursday & Saturday – 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Friday – 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Sunday – 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Website

London City Waste Clearance has over a decade of experience under its belt, and it shows. They have a fully DBS-checked team, ensuring that your waste is handled both safely and efficiently. 

We particularly liked that they offer same-day service across the city, which is perfect for those last-minute clear-outs.

One of the things that caught our attention was their range of services. Whether you need garden clearances or something more specialised like WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) recycling, they’ve got you covered. 

And let’s not forget their innovative “Wait and Load” service. With this service, a vehicle arrives at your location with a team ready to load your waste directly onto the truck. It’s a game changer, especially in areas where placing a skip is a no-go due to access limitations. 

Another thing we liked is how simple it is to get in touch with them. Just hop onto their website, fill out an online form, and boom – you’ve got a free quote in no time. Plus, if you’re an early bird and book before noon, they offer a 10% discount. 

Arrives 15 minutes early and offers flexibility

“Will has just finished clearing out a pile of bulky cabinets from our little terrace. He was even 15 minutes early (which was brilliant for us) but otherwise happy to wait. He was efficient and really kind to our kiddo, who wanted to chat to him while he worked. James managed the process of getting all the information needed for a properly informed quote politely and quickly. Would happily use again. And thanks Will for being so patient with the extra little helper!”

Holly Frewin, Google Review

Offers a fair price for a high level of service

“We recently engaged LCWC to remove some household items for safe disposal / recycling after having a clear out, and were thoroughly pleased with the level of service throughout.  The quote was a fair price for a very professional job, from arranging the job with the office over email, to the pleasant and courteous member of staff who came to collect our items.  They were able to accommodate an early weekend appointment, phoned before arrival, and were respectful of our neighbours.  We wouldn’t hesitate to use LCWC again, nor recommend them to others. Thanks!”

Rebecca Green, Google Review

3. Clear It Waste

Contact: +44 20 3489 7606

Operating hours: O

• Monday to  Friday – 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Friday – 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Sunday – 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Website

Clear It Waste really impressed us with how they cater to such a wide range of needs. Whether you’re dealing with domestic clutter, an office clear-out, or even heavy-duty construction waste, they’ve got you covered. 

What we like most is their transparent pricing structure. Starting at just £65 – significantly lower than the average rate in London – they offer a cost-effective option whether you’re a homeowner or running a business.

We also love that they’re all about sustainability. Not only do they recycle or reuse over 80% of the waste they collect, but they also go the extra mile by planting a tree for every job they complete. 

If you’re in a hurry to declutter, their same-day service is a lifesaver. We’ve found it incredibly convenient, especially when time is of the essence. 

Speaking of convenience, their online booking system is smooth and user-friendly, making it easy to manage everything digitally. It’s clear they’ve thought about what customers need, and they’ve made the whole process as hassle-free as possible.

Quickly and easily books waste removal services

“We hired them to remove two vans worth of redundant office furniture. I cannot recommend them highly enough. And if we ever need waste removing, this is our company. They were quick and easy to book with. We sent them photos of the job and chatted about the best options for us. On the day they were prompt, cheerful and respectful of us being a church. They worked well as a team and obviously got on. They even swept up afterwards. If you need waste taking away, these are the guys you want!”

Sally Jones (StMaryMagsNW1), Google Review

Clears tree cuttings and garden waste efficiently

“Had an amazing experience with Clear it Waste. I was literally messaging them back and forth when they popped over as they were in the area. They proceeded to clear out all the tree cuttings and garden waste I’d gathered over the weekend. They were great on the communication, asked for a photo or two and gave a competitive quote. I was expecting to clean up a bit, but it was left spotless!”

Bryan Watt, Google Review

4. Enviro Waste Management | Commercial Waste Collection

Location: Unit T14, Leyton Industrial Village, Argall Ave, London E10 7QP, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 20 3773 1132

Operating hours: 

• Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Website

Enviro Waste Management really caught our eye with their ability to recycle an impressive 95% of the waste they collect. We’re talking about a company that’s serious about minimising landfill contributions and squeezing every bit of life out of materials. 

What we like most is their focus on offering bespoke solutions, whether it’s hazardous waste removal, electronic recycling, or even something as specific as coffee cup recycling. They handle even the trickiest waste streams with a level of responsibility that’s hard to beat.

We also appreciate their straightforward pricing. Although the £107 starting price tag is a bit higher than the average, the quality of the service is worth every quid you spend.

And they don’t just stop at recycling. They go above and beyond by offering services like secure data destruction that’s fully GDPR-compliant. They also safely manage hazardous materials, such as fluorescent bulbs and paint, in an eco-conscious way.

We also like that they make it easy to get started. Their online form is simple to fill out, which makes the whole process from inquiry to collection smooth and hassle-free.

Demonstrates impressive professionalism and efficiency

“I recently hired enviroWaste Collection Company to clear out my warehouse, and they did an outstanding job. The team was incredibly fast, finishing the task much quicker than I anticipated, and they left the place spotless. Their professionalism and efficiency were impressive. I highly recommend enviro Waste Collection Company for any waste removal needs!”

Shay Hej, Google Review

Exhibits effortless organisational skills and a helpful demeanour.

“We have appointed Enviro Waste on several commercial waste disposal contracts. Both their teams in the office and on the ground are always professional, extremely efficient, their teams are highly skilled and their organisational skills are effortless, overall their team are approachable and always very helpful. Their paperwork is clear and transparent from their initial quotations which are precise to their final reporting, invoicing and waste transfer notices providing peace of mind of their waste disposal credentials. Their team are able to respond to any additional requests which arise on site with speed and deliver on deadlines every time. We will continue to engage their services across our commercial portfolio and would highly recommend their services.”

Cheryl Mason, Google Review

5. First Mile

Location: 70-71 Wells St, London W1T 3QE, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 333 300 3448

Operating hours: Open 24 hours

Website

First Mile has really set the bar high in waste management, and after checking them out, we can see why they’re a favourite for so many businesses. 

Serving over 30,000 clients, they offer a whopping 25+ recycling services, making sure nearly everything you discard finds a new purpose. 

What sets them apart is their zero-to-landfill promise. Anything that can’t be recycled is converted into energy, meaning your business stays eco-friendly with minimal effort.

One thing we genuinely appreciate is the adaptability of their services. Whether you need routine bin collections, a one-off waste removal, or recycling of coffee grounds or textiles, they’ve got a solution tailored to your needs.

And here’s a perk that’s hard to ignore: there’s no contract. You’re not tied down, so if for some reason you’re not satisfied (which seems unlikely given their 99% on-time collection rate), you can move on without any hassle.

Their transparency in pricing is another big plus – starting from £1.41 per sack, which is very reasonable. We also like how accessible their customer service is, which is available 24/7 through multiple channels. 

Provides consistently great service over the years

“We have been using First Mile for a few years now and the service we have received has been great. There have been no issues with collections or with the ordering of any products and the collection services First Mile offer are really useful for businesses. I’d like to especially thank Danni who helped me today with a query/matter I had. She was very responsive and helped resolved the issue very quickly. Thank you!”

Hollie Avrasonsuk, Google Review

Instils confidence in handling any issues that arise

“Rubbish collection isn’t the most exciting job in the world, but the customer service agents at first mile are always happy to help and really friendly. Rachel was thorough, friendly and efficient, couldn’t ask for better service! Sometimes collections get missed and life doesn’t always go to plan, but I always feel confident that after a quick phone call, someone at first mile will be on the case.”

Assemble Workspace, Google Review