🇫🇷 Never miss bin day again

Never miss a collection – your collection calendar, bin by bin

BinMinder reminds you when to put out the grey bin, yellow bin and food-waste container, following your neighbourhood's collection calendar.

In France, household waste collection is organised by your intercommunal authority, which may be a métropole, communauté d'agglomération or communauté de communes, sometimes through a syndicat mixte. The service is often contracted to private operators such as Suez or Veolia, but your local authority sets the rules, including collection days, times and sorting instructions. Each neighbourhood has its own collection calendar, usually on the authority's website or displayed at the town hall. Do not assume that your neighbouring village has the same collection days.

The system has several waste streams. The grey or black bin is for residual household waste, normally collected weekly. The yellow bin is for recyclable packaging, including plastic, metals, cardboard and sometimes paper depending on the authority, and is generally collected fortnightly. Glass is almost never put in a household bin: take it to underground or above-ground containers at public drop-off points. Since 1 January 2024, every household has been required to separate food waste at source. Many authorities supply a kitchen caddy or brown bin, or provide neighbourhood composters.

There are two options for objects that do not fit the normal separate collections. Bulky items are collected by appointment or on fixed dates announced in advance, while everything else can be taken to a déchetterie recycling centre, often with proof of address. The golden rule everywhere is to put the bin out on the evening before collection, never after the vehicle has passed, and bring it back in promptly once emptied. BinMinder saves you from checking the calendar by reminding you about the right bin at the right time.

• Put your bin out the evening before collection. Vehicles often arrive from 5 or 6 am, and a bin put out too late will remain full until the next collection.
• Do not put plastic bags in the yellow bin. Packaging must be placed loose inside, or the entire load may be rejected by the sorting centre.
• Download your neighbourhood's collection calendar from the website of your métropole or communauté de communes. Days vary from street to street and public holidays often change collections.
• Always book before putting out bulky waste. Leaving a sofa on the pavement without an appointment is illegal dumping and may result in a fine.

Who organises waste collection where I live?

Your intercommunal authority, such as a métropole, communauté d'agglomération, communauté de communes or sometimes a syndicat mixte, organises the service and often contracts it to Suez or Veolia. Its website has the exact calendar for each neighbourhood.

Can I put paper in the yellow bin?

This depends on your local authority's sorting instructions. Some accept paper in the yellow bin with packaging, while others require separate paper collection points. Check the local sorting guide first.

What should I do with food waste from 2024 onwards?

Since 1 January 2024, every household has been required to separate food waste at source. Depending on your local authority, use a collected kitchen caddy or brown bin, a neighbourhood collection point or an individual composter. Ask your town hall or intercommunal authority for details.

How can I dispose of an old item of furniture?

Either book a bulky-waste collection with your local authority, which may be free or paid depending on the area, or take it to a déchetterie with proof of address. Leaving it on a public road without permission is prohibited and may result in a fine.

Everything you need for bin day