West Lothian bin collection: brown bin for general waste, blue bin recycling and missed collections
West Lothian bin collection is managed by West Lothian Council across the whole council area including Livingston, Bathgate, Broxburn, Linlithgow, Armadale, Whitburn and Blackburn. Uniquely, West Lothian brown bin collection is used for general waste, not garden waste. The West Lothian blue bin is for recycling. West Lothian Council bin collection and West Lothian council bin collection dates are available at westlothian.gov.uk. Find your West Lothian bin collection postcode at westlothian.gov.uk. Report a missed West Lothian bin collection online after your scheduled collection day.
West Lothian Bin Collection at a glance
| Who collects | West Lothian Council |
| Find bin day | West Lothian bin collection day finder at westlothian.gov.uk |
| Brown bin West Lothian | Brown bin for GENERAL WASTE (not garden waste) in West Lothian, collected fortnightly |
| Blue bin West Lothian | Blue bin for recycling, collected fortnightly on alternate weeks |
| Bins out by | 7am on collection day |
| Report missed bin | Online at westlothian.gov.uk after collection day |
| West Lothian bin collection postcode | Check your specific day at westlothian.gov.uk |
Find your West Lothian Bin Collection day
Your collection schedule varies by street so always check your own postcode at westlothian.gov.uk/bins. Bank holiday changes are published on the council website ahead of public holidays. Never rely on a neighbour's schedule as collection days vary street by street.
Find your West Lothian Bin Collection dayWest Lothian Bin Collection by area
Livingston bin collectionCovers EH54. West Lothian Council manages refuse and recycling in Livingston. Find your bin day at westlothian.gov.uk.
Bathgate bin collectionBin collection Bathgate and Bathgate bin collection cover EH48. West Lothian Council manages waste in Bathgate. Check westlothian.gov.uk.
Broxburn bin collectionBin collection Broxburn covers EH52. West Lothian Council serves Broxburn and Uphall. Find your day at westlothian.gov.uk.
Linlithgow bin collectionBin collection Linlithgow covers EH49. West Lothian Council manages bin collection in Linlithgow. Check westlothian.gov.uk.
Armadale and Whitburn bin collectionCovers EH48 and EH47. West Lothian Council manages waste in both towns. Find your day at westlothian.gov.uk.
Blackburn bin collectionCovers EH47. West Lothian Council manages refuse in Blackburn. Check your bin day at westlothian.gov.uk.
Bins and recycling
- Brown bin West Lothian (GENERAL WASTE): The West Lothian brown bin is for general non-recyclable household waste, NOT garden waste. This is distinctive: most UK councils use brown bins for garden waste. West Lothian brown bin collection and West Lothian council brown bin collection are collected fortnightly. Brown bin collection West Lothian and West Lothian council brown bin collection dates are available at westlothian.gov.uk.
- Blue bin West Lothian (recycling): West Lothian blue bin collection and blue bin West Lothian cover paper, card, plastic bottles, cans, tins and glass. Collected fortnightly on alternate weeks to the brown bin. West Lothian council blue bin collection dates are available at westlothian.gov.uk.
- Food waste caddy: Cooked and uncooked food waste collected weekly for most West Lothian Council properties.
- Garden waste (green bin): West Lothian green bin collection covers garden waste as a seasonal subscription service. Check westlothian.gov.uk for availability in your area.
How to report a missed collection
Before you report: Your bin must have been at the kerbside by 7am on your collection day with the lid fully closed and correct contents. The council will not return for incorrectly presented bins.
- Confirm your collection was scheduled. Check the council website to confirm a collection was due. Bank holidays may have moved your day.
- Check your bin was correctly presented. Lid closed, at kerbside by 7am, correct contents only.
- Report online. Go to westlothian.gov.uk/bins and submit your missed collection report promptly after the collection day.
- Leave your bin accessible. The council will return for valid reports within a few working days.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I find my West Lothian bin collection day?
- Use the westlothian.gov.uk bin day finder. Check your West Lothian bin collection postcode by entering your full postcode. West Lothian bin collection dates and West Lothian bin collection days vary by street.
- Is the West Lothian brown bin for garden waste?
- No. In West Lothian the brown bin is for general non-recyclable waste, NOT garden waste. West Lothian brown bin collection and West Lothian council brown bin collection dates are for refuse, not garden material. This is different to most UK councils.
- How do I report a missed West Lothian bin collection?
- Report at westlothian.gov.uk. West Lothian council missed bin collection and West Lothian bin collection missed reports are submitted online. Your bin must have been at the kerbside by 7am.
- What is West Lothian bin collection update?
- West Lothian bin collection update and service disruption notices are published at westlothian.gov.uk. The council publishes updates about bank holiday changes to West Lothian bin collection schedule.
- How do I check West Lothian bin collection by postcode?
- Use the postcode checker at westlothian.gov.uk. Enter your full postcode to check your West Lothian bin collection schedule for both brown and blue bins.